Your completely missing the grand irony here. All of those things that you mention have happened, and yet the Cardinals sit 2.5 games out of first place in mid to late August You are drastically over-simplifying my rant. Then why are the Cardinals 2.5 games out of first place in August? Is it because of talent? Is it because of experience? Is it not lucky that the Cardinals happen to be playing in a terrible division? Is it not lucky that despite being outscored by 63 runs this season, they are only 2 games under .500? Is it not lucky that their rotation is second worst in the NL, and their big bats are all having down years and they are still contending?