My official 2016 #Cardinals prediction

Will Cardinals in St. Louis have enough
anger over alleged pundit disrespect
to make a playoff drive?

Yeah, I'm a week or so late for opening day, but nonetheless, here goes on my take on the 2016 St. Louis Cardinals.

First, depth is going to be a challenge this year after Jhonny Peralta's injury likely shelving him half the year, followed by the signing of Ruben Tejada, followed by HIS injury, with the Birds now deciding to call up Aledmys Diaz and so let Jedd Gyorko back up both SS and 2B.

Ditto on the outfield side of the defense, where Tommy Pham's oblique injury isn't good news for a team that traded Jon Jay for Gyorko and decided — in what may be an unwritten policy by GM John Mozeliak — not to resign Jason Heyward if it involved option years.

And, there's no guarantee what Stephen Piscotty or Randal Grichuk will put on the table for a full season.

Meanwhile, on the mound, John Lackey, even if pitching better than expected, is gone, Lance Lynn is on the shelf with TJ surgery, Adam Wainwright will attempt to show that his early bounce-back in last year's playoffs from Achilles surgery was no fluke.

And, Yadier Molina will attempt to bounce back from thumb surgery even while his free-agent signing backup, Brayan Pena, is now on the DL himself.

So, enough to hold off the Cubs?

Almost certainly not.

Enough to stay ahead of the Pirates for second and a very likely wild card? Not likely.

A good enough third for the second wild card? It will be a struggle.

So, buckle up, Cards fans.