Who actually decides how the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals season goes?

In this episode, we’re joined by Aidan Gray from Redbirds on the Arch as each of us drafts five Cardinals players who will ultimately determine the success or failure of the season. These aren’t just the best players — these are the nexus points of the roster. If they hit, the Cardinals contend. If they don’t… things could go sideways fast.

We also define what a successful season even looks like for this team in 2026 — and how much hinges on a handful of key names.

Expect strong takes, some debate, and a few picks that might surprise you.

• The 5 most important Cardinals players for 2026
• What “success” actually looks like for this roster
• Which players carry the highest pressure
• Aidan Gray joins the show for a full breakdown

• Jump into live game chats all week
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When Jason Motte went down with Tommy John surgery in 2013, the Cardinals' championship aspirations were in jeopardy. Enter Edward "The Chief" Mujica—a journeyman reliever who went from a mid-season acquisition to an All-Star closer almost overnight.

This week on Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza breaks down the dominant, high-stakes, and occasionally sleepy tenure of one of the most efficient closers in St. Louis history.

Inside this episode:

The 2013 SOS: How Mujica stabilized a bullpen reeling from injuries and early-season struggles.

The Yadi Factor: The mechanical tweak suggested by Yadier Molina that turned Mujica into a strike-throwing machine.

Elite Company: Why Mujica’s 37-save campaign puts him alongside legends like Bruce Suter and Lee Smith.

"The Chief": The hilarious story of how manager Jack McKeon gave Mujica one of baseball’s most unique nicknames.

The Legacy: How Mujica bridged the gap to the Trevor Rosenthal era and helped secure the 2013 NL Pennant.

Join us as we revisit the "magical season" of a pitcher who proved that sometimes, the best solution is the one you never saw coming.

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The Plazas vs. The Smiths. It’s the inaugural 2026 Cardinals fWAR Draft!

Scott and Jim Plaza welcome the founders of Redbird Rundown, Matt and Jonathan Smith, for a 2026 season preview like no other. We’re drafting nine-man rosters based on FanGraphs' Wins Above Replacement (fWAR). From Masyn Winn’s superstar upside to the "sneaky" value of Ramon Urias, we break down every corner of the Cardinals' roster.

Plus, we dive into our "NASCAR" bench rules, side bets on home runs and strikeouts, and why Nelson Velazquez might be the draft’s biggest boom-or-bust pick