With one-third of the 2017 season come and gone, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves just two and a half games back of the division lead in the National League Central. At the same time, their sub-.500 record leaves much to be desired.
The Cardinals opened the season by dropping nine of their first twelve games, and then went on a hot streak against some of the league’s weaker competition. Since enjoying a brief first-place stay in the division in mid-May, the Cardinals are back to playing disappointing baseball.
St. Louis’ hot streak came against sub-par teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, and Miami Marlins.