Reminding fans about the disappointing 2023 season would be more of a social faux pas in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse these days than it would be to march into the players-only kitchen and cook a lunch. After making a start in the home opener, Lance Lynn stated, “Spring training was the last chance to write about last year.
” The Cardinals can hardly be blamed for not wanting to be forced to relive the team’s worst season in 35 years. That point has been repeated, stressed, and reinforced through rolled eyes and exaggerated sighs in many, if not most, conversations when the matter comes up.
Sadly, they have to either play better or get over their reservations when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit Busch Stadium on Monday; after 22 games, their record is exactly the same as it was a year ago: 9-13. From the excursion last year, they had come to that place along a different yet rhyme-filled route.
The team from the previous year was unable to remove any players, and as of now, they are unable to add any. St. Louis ranks second from the bottom in hits, on base percentage, and slugging percentage but worst in the National League in batting average, runs, and home runs.
“We must exercise patience during that. It’s awful. They don’t like it and neither do we. It’s difficult to dispute the constant compliments regarding readiness.
Paul Goldschmidt, who has been without an extra base hit for the longest period in his career, deviated from his usual practice of batting practice on the field many times over the weekend. Give or take one bat cracked on the dirt by Willson Contreras, there’s barely any explosive frustration, no note of defeat in any voices, and no hushed murmurs about teammates.
