Major League Baseball’s stretch drive to the postseason is about to begin, and the St. Louis Cardinals are in an odd position this season.
Entering Wednesday’s games, the Cardinals find themselves at 45-57. The Birds on the Bat will likely miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018. They’re 11 games back in the National League Central and 10 back of the third Wild Card spot, meaning the Cardinals playoff chances are looking pretty dim.
Even worse, it appears St. Louis will finish with a losing record for the first time since 2007 and for only the second time this century.
So, the Cardinals are positioned to be sellers this season.
The Aug. 1, 6 pm ET trade deadline is now less than a week away. BetMissouri.com is thinking ahead of the eventual legal Missouri sports betting market. We have put together theoretical odds on what Cardinals may be on the move and where they may be headed.
Jordan Montgomery: Next Team Odds
It could be a case of déjà vu for the 30-year-old lefty, who came over to St. Louis from the New York Yankees at least year’s deadline. He helped his new team go 39-21 over the last two months of the season to win the NL Central.
Montgomery signed a one-year deal in the offseason and is a free agent at the end of the season, so he could be a valuable rental to a contending team in need of starting pitching.
The Baltimore Orioles lead a very competitive American League East. Yet, based on Montgomery’s stats (6-8, 3.37 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 2.1 WAR), he’d likely become the Orioles' third starter and could be enough to help them hold off the Tampa Bay Rays in the division.
The Toronto Blue Jays, another AL East team, could use Montgomery to shore up a push for a Wild Card spot, as could the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League.
Jack Flaherty: Next Team Odds
Flaherty is another starter set to be a free agent after this season, but there are some durability concerns. He made only nine appearances last season due to a slew of injuries. Over the last couple of years, he’s also struggled with command. His 4.5 walks per nine innings this season is the second worst among the 30 NL pitchers who have averaged an inning per game played this season, as is his 1.529 WHIP.
While the Atlanta Braves appear to be running away with the NL East, there are some concerns about the team’s pitching depth. So, a veteran like the 27-year-old Flaherty could be an innings eater for the Braves over the final two months.
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Paul DeJong: Next Team Odds
DeJong, who turns 30 a day after the trade deadline, is another free-agent-to-be for St. Louis. While he carries a below-average OPS+ of 95, DeJong has hit 13 home runs in 76 games played this season, and he’s an above-average fielder at shortstop.
Playoff teams can never have enough power or fielding, so DeJong could be attractive for a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose middle infielders have struggled at the plate this season.
If you think this Cardinals team might be able to pull off another historic run to make the playoffs – like they did two years ago in winning 16 straight and 18 of 19 in September – then now might be your best chance to get in on them. BetMGM sportsbook has the Cardinals at +4000 to win their division.
Be sure to visit BetMissouri.com regularly for the latest analysis on your favorite teams and information on the best Missouri sportsbook apps expected to launch in the state once legal.
