The difference is: The Cubs were supposed to be good, and they are even better than expected The Cards were supposed to suck, and they are the 2nd best team in the NL. True, the Cubs have overachieved, but what the Cardinals have done is unreal. As for Soto, I honestly expected his current production. Theriot, Demp and Edmonds are nice surprises, but the entire STL roster is insane with it's over-production of below average players and backups.