Not many were paying attention to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2026 season started. They parted ways with tons of key contributors, buying fully into the rebuild. 

While not many figured the club would gain much traction, the team has emerged as one of MLB’s most surprising stories. They have come out with a 13-9 record, the same record as the AL East first-place New York Yankees. 

Jordan Walker has been otherworldly. Through 22 games, he is hitting .306/.372/.635 with an NL-leading eight home runs and 16 runs batted in, while three other Cardinals’ sluggers have three home runs under their belt.

MORE: JJ Wetherholt has already set an all-time Cardinals record

Cardinals’ high-pressure success has them surging in latest power rankings

It isn’t just about the number of wins for the Cardinals, but the way they are doing it. They hold an undefeated record in extra-inning games and are also undefeated in one-run games. 

They have figured out ways to come in clutch for the team in the biggest stages of the game, which is saying a lot for a team that is full of younger and more inexperienced players. 

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has them surging in his latest power rankings, bumping them from 18th to 11th. 

“The Cardinals were No. 28 in B/R’s Opening Day power rankings following an offseason where they fully committed to an overdue rebuild. However, a breakout season from Jordan Walker and a knack for coming out on top in close games (5-0 in extra innings, 5-0 in one-run games) has them on the doorstep of the top 10.”

This is far from the season most, even fans, thought the Cardinals would have. If they can keep this up, this could be quite the easy rebuild for the new president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, to manage. 

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