The St. Louis Cardinals are on an impressive run, winning 13 of their last 15 games, marking a significant turnaround from earlier in the season. After a pair of series wins against the Phillies and Royals, they've climbed to No. 7 in Bleacher Report's MLB Power Rankings. With a 12-2 record over their last 14 games, they’ve gone from struggling to a playoff contender, posing a substantial threat to the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central.

Key to this success has been standout pitching performances from Matthew Liberatore and Kyle Leahy, contributing to a collective ERA of 2.62 during this stretch. Offensively, Iván Herrera has returned from the injured list in spectacular form, boasting a .500 batting average over his last seven games. The Cardinals aim to continue their winning streak against the Detroit Tigers, who currently hold the best record in the league.

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing significant changes to their pitching staff as they enter a rebuilding phase. Despite a strong bullpen performance in 2024, ranking fourth in the National League with a 3.64 ERA, offseason adjustments could dismantle this success.

Andrew Kittredge, who excelled with 37 holds, is likely to attract interest from competing teams. His departure could open doors for younger pitchers, as the Cardinals aim to cut payroll and focus on development.