Whether he was running, rolling, and reaching for the winning run that ended one of the most exhilarating playoff games or slugging his way into the postseason record book, Tampa Bay rookie Randy Arozarena’s rise in the Fall Classic was more than a showcase of what would have been for the Cardinals.
The World Series offered a glimpse of what could be.
The Dodgers, even with their ostentatious lineup, and especially the Rays, with their penny-ante pragmatism, both enhanced their offenses by using part-time platoons and prioritizing matchups. It’s an approach the Cardinals are warming to as a way to satisfy two winter goals — controlling costs and unleashing production.