Cardinals’ Quest for October: Can They Make a Deep Playoff Run in 2025?
As the 2025 MLB season approaches, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves once again in the hunt for October baseball. For a franchise with a rich history of success, including 11 World Series titles, a postseason berth has become the expectation rather than the exception. However, in recent seasons, the Cardinals have fallen short of their ultimate goal—a deep playoff run and a return to the Fall Classic.
While the Cardinals have been competitive over the past few years, they have yet to truly break through into the later rounds of the postseason. With the 2025 season now in sight, the question on the minds of St. Louis fans is: can this team finally take that next step and make a deep playoff run? After all, the road to October is never easy, and the National League has become increasingly competitive.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals, analyzing their roster, strengths, weaknesses, and key questions heading into the season. We will evaluate how the team is built for a playoff run, explore the areas where they need to improve, and examine the competition they will face in the National League. From their pitching rotation to their offensive power, we will break down the factors that could lead to a successful postseason campaign—and the hurdles they must overcome to get there.
The Cardinals’ Core: Veteran Leadership Meets Young Talent
The 2025 St. Louis Cardinals are built around a mix of established veterans and rising stars, a formula that has worked for the team in the past. While the team has relied heavily on veterans in recent seasons, the infusion of younger talent makes the 2025 squad more dynamic than ever before. This balance between experience and potential will be crucial as the Cardinals aim to make a deep postseason run.
Paul Goldschmidt: The Heart of the Offense
At the center of the Cardinals’ offense is Paul Goldschmidt, the 2024 National League MVP and one of the most consistent hitters in baseball. Goldschmidt has been a key piece of the Cardinals’ lineup for several seasons, providing power, on-base skills, and leadership. His ability to hit for average, draw walks, and drive in runs makes him one of the most feared hitters in the National League. If the Cardinals are to make a deep playoff run, Goldschmidt’s performance will be critical. His veteran presence in the middle of the lineup will provide stability and protection for other key hitters.
While Goldschmidt may be entering the later stages of his career, he has shown no signs of slowing down. His consistency and ability to perform in big moments will be a huge asset as the Cardinals chase postseason glory.
Nolan Arenado: Defensive Wizard and Offensive Powerhouse
Alongside Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado provides both offensive and defensive stability. A perennial Gold Glove winner and one of the best defensive third basemen of all time, Arenado is a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ success. His bat is just as formidable, with a mix of power and average that makes him a dangerous hitter in the middle of the lineup. Arenado’s ability to drive in runs, as well as his strong presence in the clubhouse, will be essential for the Cardinals if they are to make a deep playoff push.
Defensively, Arenado can change the course of a game with his glove, providing the Cardinals with outstanding infield defense. His ability to turn double plays and make highlight-reel stops gives the team confidence that they can limit the opposition’s offensive opportunities.
Tommy Edman and Dylan Carlson: Key Supporting Pieces
While Goldschmidt and Arenado are the stars of the team, players like Tommy Edman and Dylan Carlson are critical to the Cardinals’ success in 2025. Edman, one of the best utility players in the game, is known for his defensive versatility and his ability to get on base. His bat may not be as powerful as Goldschmidt’s or Arenado’s, but his ability to contribute in various ways—whether it’s through his bat, his speed, or his defense—makes him an invaluable asset to the team.
Dylan Carlson, meanwhile, is another player with breakout potential. After a couple of up-and-down seasons, Carlson is poised for a big 2025 campaign. His ability to hit for power and average from the left side of the plate, combined with his defensive skills in the outfield, makes him an exciting young player. If Carlson can put it all together, he could become one of the key players for the Cardinals in their pursuit of October baseball.
Jordan Walker: The Future of the Franchise
One of the most exciting young players in the Cardinals’ system is Jordan Walker. A top prospect who has shown immense potential, Walker could be the breakout star of 2025. The 6’5″ outfielder has a rare combination of power, speed, and athleticism, which has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s brightest young stars. If Walker can find success at the big league level in 2025, he could provide the Cardinals with a much-needed spark as they look to make a deep playoff run.
Walker’s potential, combined with his high ceiling, makes him one of the most exciting players to watch in 2025. If he lives up to his hype, he could be a game-changer in the postseason.
The Pitching Staff: Key to a Deep Playoff Run
While the Cardinals’ offense has the potential to compete with anyone in the league, their pitching staff will ultimately determine how far they can go in the postseason. For years, the Cardinals have been known for their ability to develop and cultivate solid pitchers, but in recent seasons, the team has lacked the true ace it needs to compete for a championship.
Jack Flaherty: The X-Factor
Jack Flaherty has long been viewed as the Cardinals’ potential ace, but inconsistency and injuries have hindered his development in recent years. However, when Flaherty is at his best, he is one of the top pitchers in the National League. His fastball-slider combination is lethal, and he has the ability to dominate opposing lineups. If Flaherty can stay healthy and regain his form from 2019 and 2020, he could emerge as the ace the Cardinals need to make a deep playoff run.
Flaherty’s performance will be one of the biggest storylines for the Cardinals in 2025. If he can pitch like an ace, the Cardinals will have a frontline starter capable of matching up with the best in the league during October.
Miles Mikolas and Jordan Montgomery: Stability in the Rotation
While Flaherty holds the potential to be the ace, the Cardinals also rely on Miles Mikolas and Jordan Montgomery to provide stability in the rotation. Mikolas, a veteran with experience pitching in the postseason, has been a consistent performer for the Cardinals. His control and ability to pitch deep into games give the team the innings they need to keep their bullpen fresh during the long stretch of a postseason series.
Montgomery, acquired via trade in 2023, has proven to be a reliable arm in the rotation. His mix of pitches and ability to keep hitters off balance make him a valuable asset for the Cardinals. Having both Mikolas and Montgomery at the top of the rotation gives the Cardinals a solid 1-2 punch behind Flaherty.
The Bullpen: A Key to October Success
While the starting rotation is critical, the bullpen will also play a huge role in the Cardinals’ playoff aspirations. In the postseason, games are often decided in the late innings, and a strong bullpen can be the difference between advancing or going home. The Cardinals will need their bullpen arms to perform at a high level, with players like Giovanny Gallegos, Jordan Hicks, and Ryan Helsley providing the late-inning reliability required for a deep playoff run.
Hicks, with his triple-digit fastball, has the potential to dominate in short stints, while Helsley’s slider and fastball combination make him one of the more dangerous relievers in high-leverage situations. Gallegos, known for his consistency, has been one of the most reliable arms out of the bullpen in recent years and will be a key piece in 2025.
A consistent, high-performing bullpen is essential for the Cardinals’ quest for October. If the team’s relievers can perform up to expectations, the Cardinals will be well-positioned to make a deep playoff run.
The Competition: What Will the Cardinals Face in October?
The road to the World Series is never easy, and the National League in 2025 is filled with strong competition. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets are all expected to contend for the NL pennant, and any team in the league could prove to be a formidable opponent in October.
The Cardinals will need to compete with these powerhouse teams in order to secure a postseason berth, but once they’re in the playoffs, they’ll have to overcome some tough competition. Whether it’s facing off against the high-powered offense of the Braves or the pitching depth of the Dodgers, the Cardinals will need to be at their best to advance to the World Series.
The X-Factors: Can the Cardinals Put It All Together?
The Cardinals have all the pieces in place for a deep playoff run in 2025. They have a dynamic offense, led by Goldschmidt, Arenado, and an emerging young core, along with a pitching staff that, if healthy and consistent, could be one of the best in the National League. However, there are still key questions that remain. Will Jack Flaherty stay healthy and pitch like an ace? Can the bullpen hold up under the pressure of postseason baseball? And can the Cardinals’ young players, like Jordan Walker, step up in big moments?
If the Cardinals can answer these questions in the affirmative, there
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