Cardinals' Playoff Hopes Fade Amid Losing Streak

The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a five-game losing streak and, despite a decent record, are considered unlikely postseason contenders due to perceived overperformance and a lack of planned trade deadline moves. The Milwaukee Brewers, just ahead of the Cardinals in the NL Central, have maintained strong home play and a balanced offense, with their season series against the Cardinals currently tied. The Seattle Mariners have encountered offensive struggles and consecutive losses in the AL West, but are anticipating the return of pitcher Logan Gilbert. Competitive postseason races are influencing teams' trade deadline strategies, with many clubs still in contention. Players have expressed negative views of teams with lower payrolls, such as the Athletics and Marlins, while high-payroll teams like the Dodgers and Yankees are more highly regarded. League-wide, the Houston Astros have stood out for their performance against winning teams, while the Toronto Blue Jays have shown weaknesses despite a solid overall record.