May 5, 2026: Good news on the strikeout front, giving Iván Herrera the attention he deserves, Jordan Walker's second surge, the coming outfield logjam

Let's talk Cards while entertaining early dreams of contention

Thanks to Tuesday’s stormy heavens above, the Cardinals received an unexpected and probably needed off day during what was supposed to be a stretch of 17 games in 17 days. Speaking of that stretch, the Cardinals are 7-4 through most of it and continuing to look much better than we thought they would. It’s too soon to point this out, but no one can stop me — the Cardinals are on pace for 97 wins and a spot in the postseason.

Now for this week’s temperature check ...

• Record: 21-14, second place in NL Central, in top wild card spot

• Run differential: plus-three

• Third-order record: 17.4-17.6

• FanGraphs playoff odds: 29.3%

• Strength of schedule: .504 opponents’ average winning percentage, 11th in MLB

• Remaining strength of schedule: .521 opponents’ average winning percentage, fourth in MLB

• Average home attendance per game: 27,326, 18th in MLB

Now let’s talk it out.