The Steamer projection system pegs the 2019 Cardinals for 86 wins, two behind the Cubs in the NL Central. That would also put the Cardinals in the first Wild Card slot, just a game ahead of the Mets.
Do we really expect that to improve before Spring Training?
Obviously, things will change. Big name free agents will be plucked out of the ether and boost one team or another. Trades will happen. Eventually, we’ll have ZiPS and Baseball Prospectus and other projections as well, but they will all more or less line up.