The St. Louis Cardinals are down to their last 12 games of the 2026 season, and while a long offseason is coming, there’s still a lot to sort through before it arrives.
At 74-76, St. Louis is more likely than not to miss the postseason.
Even so, this season has given the organization something to build on. The young core has taken real steps forward, and with more experience, this group should be better next year.
The Cardinals still look a few pieces away, but they’re not far off from being a legitimate threat in the National League.
As the finish line comes into view, here’s a look at the biggest winners and the players who didn’t have the kind of year they wanted.
Jordan Walker turned in the kind of season that changes the conversation around a player. He has 28 homers, 100 RBIs and 19 stolen bases, putting him on the doorstep of a 30-20 season.
That’s a massive leap from where he stood a year ago, when he looked like a bust. He also made the All-Star team in 2026 and won the Home Run Derby.
JJ Wetherholt delivered on the hype. The rookie has been outstanding all year and is positioned to win the first Gold Glove Award of his career. His work in the field has been so strong that he’s tied with Bobby Witt Jr. with 22 outs above average, the second-highest total in baseball.
Alec Burleson keeps producing in a way that still somehow feels underappreciated. After winning his first Silver Slugger Award last year, he could be headed for another one. He’s leading the league with 36 doubles and 109 RBIs.
On the pitching side, Michael Leahy has made the smoothest transition of anyone. He moved from the bullpen into the rotation and has become St. Louis’ best starter, posting a 3.33 ERA in 28 starts.
Andre Pallante also deserves a spot among the season’s winners. Last year’s struggles were so noticeable that there was real spring training debate about whether he’d even break camp in the rotation or end up back in the bullpen. The Cardinals stayed patient, and Pallante rewarded them with a 3.45 ERA in 26 starts.
Michael McGreevy has taken another step, too. In his first full-time major league season, he’s put together a 3.83 ERA across 29 starts.
Ryan Graceffo has been the most reliable arm in the bullpen. He’s appeared in 58 games and owns a 2.61 ERA.
The small-sample breakout cases are worth noting as well. José Báez has made the most of his 27-game cameo, hitting seven home runs with 18 RBIs and a .250 average. He has put himself into the conversation to be an everyday player in 2027.
Arenado Bernal has done the same in even fewer chances. In 12 games, he’s slashing .292/.346/.521 with three homers and 13 RBIs, and he’s clearly made a case to be in the mix for an everyday role next year.
Iván Herrera hasn’t had his best season overall, but he still earned the first All-Star nod of his career and has been one of the team’s most consistent bats. There’s at least an argument that the Cardinals should keep him in a steady role as designated hitter next season.
Not everyone’s season has gone that way. Nolan Gorman was sent to Triple-A earlier in the year after offensive struggles, and the issues have followed him back to the majors. After the 2026 season ends, it may be time for the Cardinals to move in a different direction.
Matthew Liberatore has had the roughest year of his career, carrying a 5.53 ERA in 29 starts.
Lars Urías has dealt with injuries and inconsistency. When he has been on the field, the offense hasn’t come around, and he’s batting .155 in 41 games.
And then there’s Svanson, whose 2026 has gone in the opposite direction from his rookie season. After posting a 1.94 ERA in 39 appearances in 2025, the right-hander has struggled badly this year, pitching to a 7.27 ERA in 41 major league games.
In Other News...
Cardinals May Be Headed For The Big Spending Move Fans Want
The Cardinals have spent much of the season outpacing the modest expectations that followed them into April, and that has opened the door to a different kind of conversation around the roster. If the front office decides the club is ready to make a real push, third base looks like one of the spots that could justify a bigger swing, especially with the current production at the position lagging behind the rest of the lineup.
Bo Bichette has emerged as a name that fits both the need and the moment. He has been working mostly at third base this season while still providing the kind of offense and leadership that tend to travel well in free agency, and he is attached to a deal with two years and $84 million left, plus a player option for 2027. For a Cardinals team trying to balance caution with ambition, the question is whether this is the kind of spending move that signals they are ready to act like contenders. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Suddenly Have A Worry With One Breakout Young Bat
Joshua Bez has given the Cardinals one of the more encouraging young-bat stories of the season, flashing real pop since his MLB debut and quickly making himself part of the conversation in St. Louis. Through 29 games, he has already shown the kind of offensive punch that can change how a lineup looks, which is why his early exit against the Giants drew immediate attention.
Bez left that game because of tightness on his left side and is now being treated as day-to-day, a reminder of how quickly a breakout can be tested. The timing is at least a little favorable for the Cardinals, who have a day off before their next game, giving him a little extra recovery time while the team waits to see whether this is a short scare or something more significant. [Read more 🡒]
JJ Wetherholts Return Just Changed A Cardinals Roster Battle
JJ Wetherholt is back on the Cardinals' active roster after the club activated the rookie infielder from the 10-day injured list, a move that immediately reshaped the infield picture in St. Louis. To clear space, the Cardinals designated infielder Ramn Uras and right-handed pitcher Peter Strzelecki for assignment, a reminder that roster churn can turn quickly this time of year.
Wetherholts return comes after a season in which he has already logged 130 games, giving St. Louis a young option back in the mix as the team sorts out its finish. Uras had appeared in 43 games for the Cardinals, while Strzelecki made eight appearances, and their exits leave the organization with another decision to navigate as Wetherholt reenters the fold. [Read more 🡒]