<center>
<img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmea1vekpiqSwhV7LesYHzqu6aaM5xhTB92gRw8Hfp4szq/image.png">
<hr>
<strong>
SteemSports Presenter: @bbleehehh9
<hr>
SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0
<hr>
</strong>
</center>

By their standards, it was a disappointing season for the winningest franchise in National League history, as the Cardinals finished 83-79, good for third place in the NL Central and nine games behind the division-winning Cubs. It’s the first time that the Cardinals have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since the 2007-2008 seasons.

<hr>

<h2>Impact Additions:</h2>

 Marcell Ozuna, Miles Mikolas, Luke Gregerson, Dominic Leone, Bud Norris


<h2>Key Departures:</h2>

Stephen Piscotty, Randal Grichuk, Lance Lynn, Seung Hwan Oh,


<h2>Projected Lineup:</h2>


RF - Dexter Fowler

CF - Tommy Pham

1B - Matt Carpenter

LF - Marcell Ozuna

C - Yadier Molina

SS - Paul DeJong

3B - Jedd Gyorko

2B - Kolten Wong



<h2>Projected Rotation:</h2>


1) Carlos Martinez

2) Luke Weaver

3) Michael Wacha

4) Adam Wainwright

5) Miles Mikolas



<h2>Projected Closer:</h2>


1) Luke Gregerson

2) Dominic Leone / Tyler Lyons

<hr>
<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmUCvxEZV5Rj7jXUDdNTnWHwrsjyhnRaFDwz8RFsr4d6yV/image.png</center>
<hr>

The Cardinals needed to add some thump to the middle of their lineup this winter and were able to take advantage of the firesale in Miami, snagging Marcell Ozuna for a pair of prospects. He’ll fit in nicely in the cleanup spot for the Cardinals.

<hr>

The rest of the lineup is the same cast of characters that were basically a league-average offense in 2017. Tommy Pham and Paul DeJong had major breakout seasons last year, but some question whether or not they’ll be able to repeat those massive numbers. Matt Carpenter isn’t quite the hitter that he once was and there are rumblings that he may be forced to begin the season on the disabled list. If that’s the case, Jose Martinez would fill in as the regular first baseman.

<hr>

<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmcBsDg7EukVtexfwZUTtNcTs2Fts9qcRgXJXEt5zx1oJh/image.png</center>

<hr>

If Carlos Martinez isn’t a true ace atop the Cardinals’ rotation, he’s damn close. The 26-year-old has been sensational in his three seasons in the rotation, posting a 3.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. Luke Weaver looks every bit the part of the budding #2 that is needed behind Martinez. After that, it’s an inconsistent Michael Wacha, the ghost of Adam Wainwright and a complete wild card in Miles Mikolas who returns after spending the last three years toeing the slab for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

<hr>

The bullpen is completely rebuilt and looks like it could be a nice group as a whole, though there’s no clear closer at the moment to take the ball in the ninth inning. If healthy, Luke Gregerson is expected to get the first crack at it, but don’t sleep on Dominic Leone here.

<hr>


<h2>Fantasy Sleeper - Miles Mikolas - SP</h2>

<center><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ77GaCAqA2sb15VGuUKR15931iX2FhaNF1r2J1w8nvnn/image.png"></center>


Miles Mikolas hasn’t pitched stateside since the 2014 season, but don’t sleep on him heading into 2018. The 29-year-old right-hander has dominated in Japan for the last three seasons, registering a scintillating 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 378/69 K/BB ratio over 424 ⅔ innings. He has basically been an afterthought in most drafts, with an ADP of 278. That puts him in the 19th round of 15-team formats. At that point in the draft where I’m hunting for rotation depth, I’ll gladly gamble that he’s able to carry over the success from overseas. It doesn’t hurt his cause that Busch Stadium plays as more of a pitcher’s park.

<hr>


<h2>Fantasy Bust - Tommy Pham - OF</h2>


Entering the 2017 season, Tommy Pham was an injury-prone fourth outfielder who had hit just .245/.333/.455 with 14 homers, 35 RBI and four stolen bases in 358 career plate appearances at the big league level. So naturally, he busted out in a ridiculous way, hitting .306/.411/.520 with 23 homers, 73 RBI and 25 swipes in only 128 games. So what do we make of Pham heading into 2018? Health is still, and always will be, a major concern for the 30-year-old outfielder. The power also looks like a bit of a mirage, with a 26.7% HR/FB ratio that jumps off the page. As a ground ball hitter, I’d be surprised if he eclipsed 20 homers again. His high batting average was also fueled by a .368 BABIP. While it’s nice that he’s talking of going 30/30 this year, he’s difficult for me to trust as a fourth round pick, which is where his ADP currently sits in 15-team formats (around 60 overall).

<hr>


<h2>Team Projection</h2>

<hr>
<center><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmNPkqjGU2qTRLCmwmJrsuNFrHk7EwHEbm3Pq6hAvDNA92/image.png"></center>
<hr>

 Given the historic greatness of this franchise, it’s hard to bet against them. The offense is certainly strong enough to compete in the National League, it’ll all come down to what they get out of the final three spots in their starting rotation.


<hr>

<center>
https://steemitimages.com/DQmQZbT1e8vMW29jwHGQ3DeZticGynHFwELFcAoJQPZ9Yag/steemfooter1.png
</center>
<center>
https://steemitimages.com/DQmR95dQ6tUN9wpsu4RtbE2tT6cgj14LVcxGjsFcaapf2FM/steemfooter2.png
</center>
<hr>
<center>
<a href="https://discord.gg/XkkhCc4" rel="noopener"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmZG6PRHq5jZyUXk5fdgpmUDtFYWT7qshcArmJAnGxZgy6/image.png"></a>
</center>
<center>
<hr>
<a href="https://discord.gg/XkkhCc4" rel="noopener"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmV3vq9X1LuEx1JeHCxPMTSyYDeM8MoaMXe2udAUCPM7B6/image.png"></a>
</center>