ESPN sends strong message about Cardinals at MLB season's halfway point

The St. Louis Cardinals weren't expected to be part of the National League playoff conversation this season, but they've changed plenty of opinions through the first half of the year.

One of those came from ESPN, which released its midseason report cards for all 30 MLB teams on Tuesday. Rather than focusing solely on records, the rankings evaluated how each club has performed relative to expectations, and the Cardinals received one of the better grades in baseball.

It's another sign that St. Louis has become one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 season.

Cardinals earn impressive B+ grade

ESPN handed the Cardinals a B+, placing them among the league's better-performing clubs through the halfway point. The outlet pointed to several breakout performances as the biggest reasons for St. Louis' resurgence.

Jordan Walker has emerged as one of the National League's premier run producers, leading the league in RBIs. Rookie JJ Wetherholt has been everything the organization hoped for, already producing 4.2 WAR during an outstanding debut season. ESPN also highlighted Alec Burleson's clutch hitting and Ivan Herrera's ability to consistently reach base as major reasons the Cardinals have exceeded preseason expectations.

Just a few months ago, many expected St. Louis to be a fringe contender at best. Instead, they've played themselves firmly into the postseason race.

Why ESPN still has concerns

The praise wasn't without some caution. ESPN noted that St. Louis owns a 7-2 record in extra-inning games, a mark that could be difficult to sustain over a full season.

The outlet also questioned whether the Cardinals' pitching staff can continue supporting the offense. Their bullpen ranks in the middle of the league, while the starting rotation sits near the bottom of baseball in strikeout rate. Those numbers suggest there could be some regression during the second half.

MORE: Jordan Walker joins Albert Pujols in Cardinals history with monster power-speed milestone

Cardinals have changed the conversation

Regardless of what happens over the final three months, the Cardinals have already surpassed most outside expectations. Walker has developed into the middle-of-the-order force fans envisioned years ago, Wetherholt has immediately looked like a franchise cornerstone, and several veterans have enjoyed bounce-back campaigns.

The trade deadline could ultimately determine whether St. Louis becomes a legitimate postseason threat or simply one of baseball's best surprise stories. But as ESPN's latest report card shows, the Cardinals have already forced plenty of people to rethink what this team is capable of.

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