Cards are toast this season. Even if they make the second wildcard, it's just not happening. The tables are turned in this rivarly with Chicago. Cards are the ones that are finding ways to lose now while the Cubs have the killer edge. Props to the Cubs on making the plays needed to win. I'm not even going to be upset about the last strike/ball call because the Cardinals f'ed themselves many times way before that, just like most games this year.
I'm seriously starting to question Matheny's in-game management. The guy just does not handle a pitching staff well. Cardinals have really lost their edge that they had with LaRussa. When he was coaching, you always knew we'd have the edge on strategy.
I also thing Oquendo being gone has made a huge (negative) impact on this team. He's their "defensive coordinator" and one of the best. So many defensive issues with errors and plays that should've been made this year. I feel like the Cardinals are beating themselves in most of these games.