Cardinals Struggle as the Brewers THRIVE—Can St. Louis RECOVER or Will Milwaukee REIGN?

Milwaukee Brewers dominate the NL Central, finishing 19 games ahead of rivals St. Louis Cardinals, but can they keep the crown amid a changing division Chuck Freimund and JD Hafron highlight the Brewers’ strategic approach and the Cardinals’ pressing need for young, controllable pitching. Are big trades—including a possible Nolan Arenado move—on the horizon for St. Louis? Will Milwaukee’s reliance on bargain acquisitions and player development finally pay off in the postseason, or is a power bat at third base the missing piece? Breakdowns center on the Cardinals’ farm system woes, Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker’s struggles, and how the upcoming offseason could reshape the division’s playoff picture. The conversation explores roster needs for both teams, the odds of the Cubs, Reds, and Pirates making a charge, and the looming impact of baseball’s winter meetings. Is Milwaukee’s formula sustainable, or will a new NL Central contender emerge in 2026? 00:00 Winter Meetings Anticipation Builds 04:25 Gorman, Walker Blocked by Arenado 07:47 "Cardinals' Strategy Shift Explained" 13:06 Cardinals Trade Rumors Intensify 16:58 Nolan Arenado: Still Elite Defender 19:01 Brewers Face Offseason Decisions 23:45 Cubs' Future and Schwarber's Destination 26:24 "Cardinals' Smart, Systematic Strategy" 28:14 "Cubs' Strategy and PCA Outlook" 34:03 Cardinals' Pitching Trade Hopes 34:57 Brewers' Quiet Offseason Prediction 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! 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.