The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Cardinals have a long and storied history, having been in the league since 1892. This storied franchise has appeared in 19 World Series, winning 11 of them. The Cardinals have also won the National League (NL) pennant 18 times, the most of any team in the NL. Despite their success, the Cardinals have not been to the playoffs since 2015. In this article, we’ll take a look at the Cardinals’ last playoff appearance and what has happened since.
The Cardinals’ 2015 Playoff Run
The Cardinals last playoff appearance was in the 2015 season. That year, the Cardinals finished with an impressive 100-62 record, the best in the NL and second-best in the MLB. The Cardinals were led by an impressive core of players, including All-Stars Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday, and Adam Wainwright. The team also boasted a strong bullpen, anchored by Trevor Rosenthal and Kevin Siegrist.
In the NL Division Series, the Cardinals faced the Chicago Cubs. The series went to a full five games, with the Cardinals emerging victorious. The Cardinals then faced the New York Mets in the NL Championship Series. The series went to a full seven games, with the Cardinals ultimately prevailing. The Cardinals were then set to face the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.
The Cardinals’ World Series Loss
The Cardinals had high hopes for the 2015 World Series, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Royals ended up winning the series in five games. The series was close, with three of the five games going to extra innings, but the Royals ultimately prevailed. The Cardinals finished the season as NL champions, but their dreams of a 12th World Series title were dashed.
The Cardinals Since 2015
Since their last playoff appearance in 2015, the Cardinals have been competitive in the NL Central. The team has had winning seasons in 2016, 2018, and 2019, but they have yet to make it back to the playoffs. The Cardinals have had some impressive players in recent years, including All-Stars Paul DeJong, Matt Carpenter, and Marcell Ozuna. The team also has a strong pitching staff, anchored by Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, and Dakota Hudson. Despite this, the Cardinals have not been able to get back to the playoffs since 2015.
What Has Stalled the Cardinals’ Progress?
There are several factors that have contributed to the Cardinals’ lack of postseason success since 2015. The first is the fact that the NL Central has been a very competitive division in recent years. The division has been dominated by the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, who have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. The Cardinals have been unable to keep pace with these teams and have not been able to make it back to the playoffs.
In addition, the Cardinals have not been able to make any significant upgrades to their roster in recent years. The team has been unable to sign key free agents or make big trades to improve their team. This has put the team in a difficult position, as they have been unable to significantly improve their roster and have been unable to make it back to the playoffs.
The Cardinals’ Struggles at the Plate
Another factor contributing to the Cardinals’ lack of success since 2015 has been their struggles at the plate. The team has been unable to consistently generate runs, which has been a major issue for them. The team’s batting average has been below .250 in each of the last four seasons, and their on-base percentage has been below .320 in three of those seasons. The Cardinals have also been unable to hit for power, ranking in the bottom third of the league in home runs in each of the last four seasons.
The Cardinals’ Struggles on the Mound
The Cardinals have also struggled on the mound in recent years. The team’s ERA has been over 4.00 in three of the last four seasons, and their WHIP has been over 1.30 in all four. The team’s starting rotation has also been inconsistent, with no pitcher having an ERA under 4.00 in the last four seasons. This lack of pitching depth has been a major issue for the Cardinals, as they have not been able to consistently shut down opposing teams.
The Cardinals’ Struggles in the Field
The Cardinals have also struggled in the field in recent years. The team’s fielding percentage has been below .970 in each of the last four seasons, and their defensive WAR has been in the bottom third of the league in three of those seasons. This lack of defense has been an issue for the Cardinals, as they have not been able to consistently make the defensive plays needed to win games.
The Cardinals’ Future Outlook
The Cardinals are in a difficult position heading into the 2021 season. The team has not been to the playoffs since 2015, and their recent struggles on offense, pitching, and defense have been concerning. That being said, the team still has a lot of talent and could turn things around in 2021.
The team has some key pieces in place, such as All-Stars Paul DeJong and Marcell Ozuna, as well as a strong pitching staff anchored by Jack Flaherty. The team also has some promising young players, such as Nolan Gorman and Dylan Carlson. If the team can make the necessary improvements in 2021, they could be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Conclusion
The St. Louis Cardinals have not been to the playoffs since 2015. In that time, the team has had some impressive players and enjoyed some winning seasons, but they have been unable to make it back to the postseason. There are several factors that have contributed to the Cardinals’ lack of success in recent years, including their struggles at the plate, on the mound, and in the field. That being said, the team still has a lot of talent and could make a return to the playoffs in 2021.
When did the Cardinals last go to the playoffs? The St. Louis Cardinals last went to the playoffs in 2015. They were defeated by the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. Since then, the Cardinals have not been able to make it back to the playoffs.