About this episode
St. Louis Cardinals fans desperate for hope: Could your team pull off what the Toronto Blue Jays just proved is possible without massive free agent spending. Host JD Hafron breaks down player-by-player comparisons between the Cardinals' current roster and the Blue Jays' breakout performers. The analysis covers whether Wilson Contreras can match Vladdy Guerrero Jr.'s production, if Yvonne Herrera's return from injury mirrors Bo Bichette's resurgence, and whether Jordan Walker finally becomes the George Springer-type impact player many envisioned. Key discussions include the Cardinals' need to maintain their early-season offensive approach that emphasized contact over strikeouts, critical pitching staff upgrades through free agency targets like Chris Bassett, and aggressive development of top prospects Liam Doyle and JJ Wetherholt. Discover which Cardinals players could have career years and what moves the front office must make to compete in the NL Central. 0:00 Intro 0:31 Can Cardinals Recreate Toronto's Turnaround Magic? 2:04 Blue Jays Historic Worst to First Season 4:06 Bo Bichette's Breakout and Cardinals Comparisons 7:11 George Springer's Resurgence and Jordan Walker's Potential 10:14 FanDuel NBA Betting Segment 12:16 Addison Barger and Alec Burleson Comparison 15:51 Brendan Donovan Matching Alejandro Kirk's Production 19:25 Nolan Gorman Needs to Return to Form 22:27 Cutting Strikeouts Key to Cardinals Success 25:31 Pitching Staff Comparisons and Sonny Gray 28:37 Cardinals Need to Sign Chris Bassitt 30:09 Liam Doyle as the Next Trey Yesavage 33:12 Final Thoughts on Cardinals Turnaround Potential Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-st-louis-cardinals/ Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/ Follow on Twitter/X: @JDSPORTSRADIO Follow the show on Twitter/X: @LO_Cardinals Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONMLB to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. PrizePicks — Run Your Game. Click Link Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONMLB Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA and NFL seasons are here, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) #ForTheLou #stlcards #mlb #lockedoncardinals #stlouiscardinals Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.