Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Losing Faith Already?

Starting point is 00:00:00 It was not a great weekend in Texas for the St. Louis Cardinals, but the way people are reacting, you'd think the sky is falling. Are fans really losing faith after one series? Let's talk about it on today's episode of Lockdown Cardinals. You are Locked on Cardinals, your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello there, Cardinals fans. I'm Jady Hafer and I'm your host for Lockdown Cardinals, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, covering or team every day. You can follow me on X at JD Sports Radio. You can follow the podcast at L0 underscore Cardinals. We're on YouTube. Make sure you like, subscribe and comment and hit that notification button. So you don't miss any of the new things that we put out there for you.

Starting point is 00:00:47 Also available on TikTok and Instagram at Locktown Cardinals. This is a show serving Cardinal Nation and giving the best fans of baseball, all of the info about the birds on the bat. So the San Luis Cardinals had a bad weekend losing the series in Texas. They got outscored 19 to 4, got beat up. in that first game. Got a tremendous effort from Sunny Gray in the second one to pick up the win and eat just enough runs across the plate to pick up that W. And then had a bad defensive inning and then a Roderre Munoz mashing that led to Sunday's lopsided loss in the end, although it was a better game for seven innings than what the score would reflect. And some fans, at least it appears to me, are beginning to lose fate.

Starting point is 00:01:34 Not everybody. I'm not pigeonholing everybody, but a lot of the vocal people starting to lose a little faith. Some of the messages I got after this series, it's falling apart. Great offense. I knew this wouldn't last. It's called regression to normal. This franchise was kidding themselves if it thought this would last. One lucky month. And the Cardinals finally turned into a pumpkin. This probably is who they really are. Glad I didn't get sucked in. And that's just a few small samples of some of the things that were said.

Starting point is 00:02:17 Now, there were plenty of positive things said by people. And I want to acknowledge that because obviously they've been out there. But I see this stuff come in and I just am like, how do you go through life feeling this way all the time where just everything is negative? I don't know how some of these people do it. Their record right now is 33 and 26. It's pretty good. They've won six of their last 10 despite what you saw this weekend in Texas.

Starting point is 00:02:54 But for whatever reason, some fans are beginning to lose faith in them after this weekend. Now personally, I would rather look at it. at the entire road trip, then focus on three games. And for the road trip, a place that they haven't normally played their best baseball so far in 2025, that team went three and three. If there's anything that I was a little concerned about was that some of the defensive lapses that are happening that haven't been happening for the Cardinals, which is help them get out to this great start. Um, that's about it.

Starting point is 00:03:35 You know, like simple routine things that they made some mistakes on. Does that mean they're going to start doing it all the time? No. Does it mean that they were as good as they had been the whole time? Like that's the elite defense they were showing. Is that who they really are all the time? And then this was just a couple of hiccups, maybe. But the team still went three and three.

Starting point is 00:03:59 They now have the eighth best overall winning percentage in the league. they've played much worse on the road. We know this than they have a Bush Stadium. The road is not easy. Road record is now 14 and 18 home record at 19 and 8, which ranks them third in winning percentage at home. It's pretty good. Well, let's stay that way all season.

Starting point is 00:04:22 Probably not. But the road thing is something that most teams have trouble with. Winning on the road is not easy. It's certainly not as easy. is winning at home. And if you remember where this team was on the road earlier this year and how bad they were to where they are now, night and day, right? Up top of your head, do you know how many teams have winning road records in the league right now? Yes. If you said seven, you're the winner. Seven of 30 teams have winning road records. It's not normal to win on the road. Only the truly great

Starting point is 00:05:07 teams usually do. Are the Cardinals a great team? I don't think we're at that level yet to say that, but they're a pretty good team. So you're more than welcome to lose your minds over losing a three game series on the road to the Texas Rangers. That is your prerogative, just like Bobby Brown said. A team that I will continue to say is better than their record, by the way, those Texas Rangers. They've just had a really tough time scoring runs, which is weird. Obviously, Corey Seeger being heard a few times has been an issue. Adoli Scarcia falling off a cliff offensively has been an issue. Marcus Semyon until the Cardinals showed up had not been hitting.

Starting point is 00:05:52 So you can see why they struggled overall this season. But I think that's a much better team than what they're getting credit for. But I implore you to please not jump to a to a conclusion. conclusion after a three-game series that the Cardinals are here to either trash or they're awesome. You know, the Cardinals have beaten the Phillies, two out of three in both series against them. Did we start saying that here we come, World Series, let's go, since they just beat the team that had the best record in the National League or had it at one point, they don't need more after getting swept by the brewers.

Starting point is 00:06:30 But I don't remember people saying that and freaking out, like, get your tickets. here comes the World Series. So I don't see why, after losing a couple of games in the way they did, that you immediately jump to the conclusion that they are not as good as they were in May, that they really are just trash. I just don't get it. I don't understand that. I don't follow that thinking at all.

Starting point is 00:06:57 To quote the great Alfred Pennyworth in the Dark Night, I think some men just want to watch the world burn. And that's just who they are. And if there is one thing I've learned in covering baseball for as long as I have and playing the game as long as I have, it's that Mo's magic word patience, and I know as annoying as it got to hear, especially when things weren't going well, it's actually quite important in this particular sport. The season is long. I mean, we're two months into this.

Starting point is 00:07:27 We've got four months remaining. Yeah, what, three months until the trade deadline, June, July, and then the, you're, I mean, end of August? Well, two months then, because it's the end of July, my bad. So two months. Still two months until the trade deadline. Long way to go on this thing. And after working out the kinks in April, you know, the roster decisions, batting order, bullpen rolls and assignments, things went extremely well in May. And before we got to May, you know, fans were saying to me that, you know, this stretch on the road against the Phillies, the Royals and the Tigers, or I shouldn't say just the road,

Starting point is 00:08:06 but the stretch of games against the Phillies, Royals and Tigers is going to tell you where this team really is. And they ended up going five and four. And then they won three straight over the Diamondbacks, following that, who at the time were 26 and 24. They've kind of fallen off a little bit since the Cardinals beat up on them. And, you know, coming into that series, the Diamondbacks went three and four against the Dodgers,

Starting point is 00:08:32 not easy. One, two of three over the judges. Giants, very good team in San Francisco this year. I mean, does none of that count anymore that they, you know, they played some decent teams and were pretty good against them? And now we're seeing that, you know, June is going to be a real test. Because on paper, it looks pretty damn daunting. Royals coming to Blish first, 31 and 29.

Starting point is 00:08:55 Then the Mighty Dodgers at 36 and 23. Blue Jays, 31 and 28. All those games are at home. Then you go on the road for the Brewers who have won 70. in a row. They're 32 and 28. The White Sox, 18 and 41. Then back home for the Reds, 29 and 31, two games under 500. The Cubs, obviously, looking good, 37 and 22. Then on the road to Cleveland, 32 and 26. And then it's Pittsburgh, 22 and 38. So that six series against teams above 500, two division opponents, below 500, and then you get the White Sox. Am I telling you that the Cardinals won't

Starting point is 00:09:30 slip a little bit as the year continues? No, I'm not telling you. you that. The odds are good that they probably will because what they did in May was spectacular. They went 19 and 8 in the month of May, best record in the league. That's not easy to replicate. But June is shaving up to be quite the gauntlet. And they only had two days off the entire month today, June 2nd. And then Monday, June 16th. And that is it. They are playing baseball every single day, weather pending. So if they finish in 500 this month, does that mean they suck now? I don't think so. I would consider it a win, considering the teams that they're about to play.

Starting point is 00:10:15 Each month is a test in a different way. And buckle in because Judah's about to be a grind. Up next, I'm not the only person that thinks what the Cardinals are doing is real. And the power rankings reflect this. We'll take a look at those. Plus, we'll look ahead at the series against the Royals. They're calling up their top prospect. We'll get into all of this coming up on Locked on Cardinals.

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Starting point is 00:11:57 Visit wonderful pistachios.com to learn more. Thanks again for making a lot on cartels. Your first listen every day. Leave your comments on YouTube as well as on X. Anytime you want, your feedback is always welcome. encouraged. Newest MLB power rankings have dropped, and there is a new team at the top of the list, and it's a team that the Cardinals played pretty well against, but did lose the series. That's a fact. And it's the Detroit Tigers. Previously number three, but scoge up to the top spot,

Starting point is 00:12:29 thanks to Terrick Scoobel's incredible performances against the Guardians and the Royals. He's freaking awesome. What more can you say? And the Cardinals did him pretty well when they play it against him. In a number two, a team the Cardinals are going to be facing this upcoming weekend in St. Louis. And that's the Dodgers. Shohei Otani. Dude's been on an absolute heater. The 14 home runs in his last 26 games. Freddie Freeman hit 386 over the same time frame. And just think they don't have Tyler Glass now, Blake Snell, Rokie Sasaki. No of those guys are in their rotation right now. All those guys are hurt. Fulpin is missing a bunch of big names too. And yet they can continue to roll on. And there's no doubt that they are going to try to add more pieces when we get closer to the trade deadline, depending on what the injury situation looks like with the rotation in the bullpen.

Starting point is 00:13:26 They just got Alexis Diaz from the Cincinnati Reds, just gave him to him. It was just like, yeah, we're not going to use him anymore. Cardinals broke Alexis Diaz. We'll see if he can find that magic once again that he had for the last couple of seasons while he's in LA. Number three, Chicago Cubs. Boo, Chicago Cubs. The rotation down, Shotat, Eminaga, who was coming back from a hammy issue. Justin Steele's gone for the year. But they continue to find ways to win. They were 18 to 9 in May.

Starting point is 00:13:59 Pretty darn good record, right, right behind the Cardinals. But they also, I do want to point this out. And yes, you have to beat the bad teams too, but they played the Marlins and the Reds twice, the White Sox. and the Rockies. Like, that's kind of a cream puff schedule in the month of May. Now, their April schedule was a little more difficult. Six of the wins, though, out of the 18 this month,

Starting point is 00:14:26 or last month I should say, it's June now. But in May, came against the White Sox and the Rockies. They're 12 and 13 against teams over the 500 mark. I'm not saying they're a bad team. I'm just pointing out stats. These are just facts. Cardinals will see them at Bush Stadium on June 23rd through the 26th. I sincerely hope that things are as tight as they are right now.

Starting point is 00:14:51 It's four games right now between the two. It'd be nice if it was like two, three, you know, that way there could be a swing there. But we'll see. We'll see June 23rd through the 26th. I hope a lot of Cardal fans show up. I would hate see Bush Stadium just drowning in cubby blue during that series. So let's get out there. Philly's dropped from number one and number four.

Starting point is 00:15:15 The Brewers just swept them in three straight in Philly. They weren't without Bryce Harper, though, who should be back on Tuesday, but the Phillies have lost four in a row. Got passed by the Mets for first in the division. Cardinals took four of six from them already this season. The Aaron Nola thing is a big deal, but they still got a lot of big pieces.

Starting point is 00:15:34 Get Bryce Harper back, who got hit on the elbow against the Braves. So that's why he's been out. Then at number five, you got the Mets, despite being in first place over Philly. There's a spot behind them in the rankings, but a lot of their success, like the Cardinals, has been at home where they have the best record in the league. They're 24 and 7 at home. Cardinals found out the hard way how good that team was at home when they got swept there earlier this season. They're 13 and 15 on the road.

Starting point is 00:16:00 So at home, amazing. On the road, kind of me. Yankees coming at number six, and it's the Padres at number seven. And well, well, lookie what we got. here crack in the top 10. Say hello to the St. Louis Cardinals. Yeah. Cardinals come in at number eight, quite a jump from last week when they were at number 12. Right up on this says that Brydonovan is won a gold glove, finished third and rookie of the year voting. Homer at Rickwood Field, but one thing he hasn't done is making an all-star game. And that is almost certainly going

Starting point is 00:16:33 to change this year. He's third in the NL and batting average, leads in hits and doubles and leads all second base. category. He has been the best player on the most surprising team in baseball so far. That's what it says at MLB.com. Yes, Brendan Donovan's been very good. If you, haven't seen the episode of me talking about whether or not Brendan Donovan is the best second baseman in baseball, at least right now, go check it out. It's from last week. But it's up there. Other notables in the power rankings, Brewers jump all the way from 22 to number 14 after winning seven in a row, including three against the Red Sox, three over the

Starting point is 00:17:08 Phillies. Christian Yelich, he's been on fire this week. They had some walkoff wins against Boston, and then you get the sweep over the Phillies who were without Bryce Harper. But, hey, seventh straight is seven straight no matter what the circumstances end. They run a good ship in Milwaukee. That's the reason why they've been winning this division the last couple of years. So, you know, never count them out. Seven in a row, nothing to sneeze at. Rangers actually dipped from 19 to 22. despite winning two of three against the Cardinals this weekend. Reds go from 18 to 19. After going three and three last week,

Starting point is 00:17:45 they won two against the Royals. Then they lost two of three in Chicago against the Cubs. So, you know, not easy to go winning Wrigley. But the Cardinals next upon the Kansas City Royals. They come in at number 15 on the list. They're one spot up from last week. And they're bringing some reinforcements up from the minor leagues to, hopefully for that.

Starting point is 00:18:08 is what they're trying is to bring a little life into their offense. So we'll discuss what they've done and this upcoming series coming up next on Lockdown Cardinals. Thank you again for making Lockdown Cardinals. Your first listen today for your second list and check out the All New Lockdown. MLB game night, every game, every night all season long at local analysis on a national scale. Find MLB game night on Lockton, it will be on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcast. So the Royals seem like about. better team than I guess they really have been recently.

Starting point is 00:18:51 Cardinals took two of three from them in Kansas City last month, but it wasn't easy. It's not like they just went right through them, winning two or three. They've got a very good pitching staff in Kansas City. But the offense has been suspect at best. It has nothing good. Outside of Bobby Witt, Jr., hasn't been a ton to get excited about for the Royals. So the Royals decided to, in just. some life into it by calling up their top prospect in 2024 first round draft pick,

Starting point is 00:19:22 Jack Caglione, who was taken sixth overall out of Florida right in front of the Cardinals who ended up grabbing J.J. Weatherholt at number seven. And the dude was an absolute machine in college. He was very, very, very, very good. There's a picture of him when his media day earlier this spring. He was excellent. Two-way star. ends up spending just two weeks at AAA, and the Royals were like, screw it, we need some offense. And so they're yanking them up. The 22-year-old was slashing 32, 32, 389, and 593 with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs and 50 games between AA and AAA and AAA this year. The guy can mash.

Starting point is 00:20:05 He's also learning to play outfield since the Royals have the Pascuatch, Vinnie Pasquantino, as well as Salvador Perez at first base on occasion. so not a lot of room there for any playing time. So they're moving them to the outfield, which is what he's been learning. And according to the reports I've seen, he's made that transition pretty well. We've seen how difficult it can be for a young person to switch positions and learn the outfield. Jordan Walker has had to do that. And until this year, that was not looking so good. But it is looking much better.

Starting point is 00:20:42 Obviously, now it's a shame that he's on the IL at the moment. Um, he's going to be there, man. Jack Caglione, uh, is he going to D.H in the series against the Carls? Is he going to play outfield? I don't know. Probably both. We shall see. But MLB.com said this about the Royals and this particular series.

Starting point is 00:21:00 And of course, they're going to mention him. Here's Jack with his, uh, sister had a game earlier this year. Um, the royals have the fourth worst record in baseball since May 10th behind only the A's, Rockies and Orioles. And it has been almost entirely because of, of their offense. They've scored the fewest runs in baseball over that span. It has come at an inopportune time with division rivals, Minnesota and Detroit taking advantage of their struggles by beating them in the series over the last week. The storyline for the series, the Cardinals enter the season

Starting point is 00:21:31 facing low expectations and were all the written off after an uninspiring April. Then they rattled off nine straight wins from May 4 through the 12th and went on to have the MLB Best 19 and 8th day record leapfrogging the Brewers and Reds and the standings. Now they can have officially set their eyes on the first place Cubs. That is, if they can smoothly rebound from being outscored 19 to 4 in Arlington over the weekend. What to watch out for? Obviously, the big story on this one, they say Royals fans, the time has come.

Starting point is 00:22:02 Top prospect Jack Caglione, after meeting his recent promotion to AAA with six home runs at 11 games, has gotten the call to the bigs. And we'll join the team in St. Louis, regardless of your affiliation, you won't want to miss this debut. I'm thinking about picking him up in fantasy purposes, just to see. Now, I know that the Cardinals pitching staffs been pretty good, but I don't know.

Starting point is 00:22:28 Maybe that's something we should think about doing if he's going to come up and be that big of a deal. The pitching matchups for the series, Michael Lorenzen, former Red, going for the Royals against Andre Palante on Tuesday, Wednesday night. It's the impressive rookie Noah Cameron, who has been light out for the Royals so far.

Starting point is 00:22:48 Another guy, if you're a fantasy player, you might want to look at against Miles Michaelis, because he was really good against the Cardinals there last time out. Then on Thursday, Matthew Libertor, we'll get the ball looking to rebound from his poor outing in Texas. No starter has yet been named for Kansas City and Wednesday's game. So, you know, we'll wait and see and find out what's going on. I was thinking about this, too,

Starting point is 00:23:10 with all of these games coming up in June for the Cardinals, I wonder if they're going to go back to that six-man rotation and get Stephen Matts in there. That was something that was also brought up at MLB.com. And I don't know, it worked pretty good the last time. So I would assume they would probably lean towards doing that once again. But I haven't seen anything posted on that just yet. But we'll keep you posted if anything changes. So thank you for making a lot on Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:23:36 First listen every day. If you haven't already, give us a follow on X at L.O. underscore Cardinals at a JD Sports Radio. We're on TikTok and Instagram. and Locked on Cardinals, please like and subscribe on YouTube and help our channel and love for the Cardinals grow. You guys are the best fans in baseball for a reason, and we will see you next time on Locked on Cardinals.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Losing Faith Already?

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