Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Two familiar faces from St. Louis' run to the NL Central title last season aren't around anymore as the Cardinals attempt to become the division's first repeat champion in six years. The retirements of Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols leave the Cardinals having to replace two likely Hall of Famers. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol says Molina and Pujols did much to assure the club's winning culture would endure after their departures. St. Louis is the favorite in a division that hasn't had a team finish first in back-to-back seasons since the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and 2017.
