Cardinals lose 5-3 to the Diamondbacks on July 20, getting swept despite a multi-hit game from Jordan Walker. The loss raises trade deadline questions.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another Sunday, another frustrating loss. The St. Louis Cardinals fell 5-3 to the Arizona Diamondbacks, sealing a deflating three-game sweep in the desert. The loss, their third straight, drops the team to a middling 51-49 record and pushes them further from the top of the NL Central. With the trade deadline looming, this weekend wasn't just a series loss; it was a glaring spotlight on a team struggling to find its identity.
Now on a three-game losing streak, the Cardinals sit at 51-49, a daunting 8.5 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs.
The game itself felt like a microcosm of the team's recent struggles. Starter Riley O'Brien just didn't have his best stuff, surrendering four runs over five innings to take the loss. While the offense showed flashes, with Jordan Walker collecting another multi-hit game and Nolan Gorman driving in a late run, it wasn't enough to overcome the early hole dug against Arizona's Merrill Kelly. The Cardinals bullpen, to its credit, was solid as JoJo Romero and company kept the D-backs off the board late, but the damage was already done. It was a classic case of too little, too late.
This sweep couldn't have come at a worse time. The Cardinals remain entrenched in fourth place in the NL Central, now 8.5 games behind the Cubs. For a team that entered the year with playoff aspirations, hovering just two games above .500 in late July is a major red flag. The pressure is mounting on the front office as the clock ticks towards the trade deadline. Are they buyers, hoping a key addition can spark a run? Or are they sellers, looking to retool for the future? This weekend's performance certainly makes the latter seem more plausible.
If there's a silver lining for frustrated fans, it's buried deep in the minor leagues. Recent reports from Baseball America and MLB.com continue to praise the Cardinals' farm system, highlighting its depth and potential impact. Names like Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence, and Thomas Saggese are getting closer to St. Louis, while 2024 first-rounder JJ Wetherholt is on a fast track. This stockpile of talent provides a glimmer of hope, whether these players arrive to save the day or become the currency needed to acquire established help via trade.
So, where do the Cardinals go from here? The team is at a critical crossroads. The performance on the field is lackluster, the gap in the division is widening, and the trade deadline is just days away. The front office faces a monumental decision: push the chips in for a 2025 run, or leverage the promising farm system to build a more sustainable contender for 2026 and beyond? The next week will define the rest of the season and could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come. Buckle up, Cardinals fans.
