If the MLB ends up playing its 2020 season, the Cardinals have a lot to look forward to.

Coming off of an NLCS berth that left much to be desired, St. Louis is hungry to get another crack at postseason baseball. What the Cardinals were missing in the Championship Series against the Nationals could be one of their strengths this season — offense. It is hard to fathom one of their pillars of success being offense after losing their most valuable bat in Marcell Ozuna, but there is more to unpack. Out of the Cardinals’ eight position player starters, only two met or exceeded expectations — Kolten Wong and Ozuna. It is not very often that a team’s whole offense folds for a whole season and they still make the final four, but St. Louis did just that. Their bats this upcoming season provide lots of promise.

Their top prospect Dylan Carlson posted an OPS near 1.5 before Spring Training was cut short due to COVID-19, and that’s just the start; first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is primed for a strong season, after slumping in 2019 — the same goes for Paul DeJong. Another major piece that could prove to be huge is Matt Carpenter; when he is right, Carpenter is the best hitter on the club. After a 2019 campaign that can be chalked up as an anomaly, he has worked this offseason to spray the ball across the field. Even if their offense is not always there, the Cardinals have one constant — pitching.

St. Louis has one of the best pitching corps in the National League. Headlined by their young ace in Jack Flaherty, they are going to have to be a major cog if the Cardinals want sustained success. Aside from Flaherty, Hudson and Mikolas, not much is set in the rotation. As for the bullpen, standout reliever Giovanny Gallegos or Carlos Martinez will take over the closer role with Jordan Hicks recovering from Tommy John surgery. No matter who ends up filling the void, the Cardinals are in good hands.

Given a chance to play in 2020, St. Louis holds all the cards.