Since the turn of the century, the St. Louis Cardinals have finished below .500 exactly once. And that was back in 2007. Regardless of offseason subtractions, injuries, callups and financial limitations – they don’t spend like the Yankees or Dodgers – the Cardinals are always in playoff contention to the end.

The 2021 season figures to be no different. But according to oddsmakers, the Cardinals aren’t in the same conversation with the Dodgers, Padres and Braves. Still, are they worth considering in your MLB futures bets? Let’s break down the Cardinals, and whether their World Series odds are too high, too low or just right?

St. Louis Cardinals Odds

MLB odds current as of publication but subject to change

Cardinals World Series Odds

The Cardinals are consistently in the +2200 and +2500 range at most online sportsbooks. Their highest odds are currently +2500, available at DraftKings, Unibet and PointsBet. That line ties for the 10th-lowest on the World Series odds board, and fifth-lowest in the National League, behind only the Dodgers, Padres, Braves and Mets.

Reasons To Back The Cardinals

New Kid On The Block: In 2020, the Cardinals ranked 20th in runs scored and dead-last in MLB in home runs hit. Their .234 average was bottom 10, too. They addressed offensive needs by acquiring the biggest name on the block, Rockies star Nolan Arenado. From 2015-19, Arenado averaged 38 HRs and 124 RBIs per season while batting better than .300. Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt (34 HR, 97 RBI in ’19) anchor one of the premier 3-4 slots of any order.

Dog Days Are Back: What the Cardinals have lacked in star power and No. 1 power pitchers they’ve made up for in depth. That depth couldn’t shine in a 60-game season. A six-month season better fits St. Louis’ roster. In 2020, the Cards finished the season 8-4 to get into the NL Wild Card round. In 2019, they went 41-41 the first three months and 50-30 after that. Depth prevails, and St. Louis always seems to have an abundance of it.

Reasons To Fade The Cardinals

Hitters Need To Hit: The short season was tough on many, but the Cardinals offense was a real downer, among the very bottom in most categories. Fortunately, they were carried by a strong pitching staff. Of the 10 hitters who had 100 or more at-bats, five of them batted .232 or worse. Only two of them, Goldschmidt (.304) and Kolton Wong (.265, now in Milwaukee), hit better than .260.

NL Depth: The Cardinals are favorites to win their division, but it’s a four-team race involving the Cubs, Reds and Brewers. All it takes is a slump or injury issues, and any one of three teams could be in position to take advantage. And then we have the entire NL itself. The defending World Series champion Dodgers are prohibitive favorites, and the Padres and Braves are notable contenders to deal with.

Verdict

Once you’re in, anything can happen.

And the Cardinals get to the playoffs. They’ve been there two seasons in a row and in seven of 10, with two World Series appearances to show for it. They’re favored to do so again. From there, they have four pitchers – Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, Kwang-Hyun Kim and Adam Wainwright – that can move them on. As long as the offense holds its own, that is.

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