Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Makardinali akaramba achikunda zvichitevera kubuda kwezviratidzo zvefranchise La Russa naPujols. Vaimbova Cardinals backstop Mike Matheny akava mutsva weCardinals maneja wemwaka wa2012 zvichienda mberi. Carlos Beltrán, mumwe akasununguka akasayina kuti atsive Pujols pamberi pemwaka wa2012, akawana mubairo weMutambi weVhiki muna Chivabvu mushure mekurova nhanhatu dzimba mukati mevhiki; akazopedzisira arova makumi matatu nemaviri emwaka. Mumakwikwi ekupedzisa, maCardinals akashandisa hunhu hwavo hutsva hwekudzoka vachipesana neWashington Nationals muNLDS: mumutambo wekupedzisira, Pete Kozma akatyaira makumbo maviri muchikamu chechipfumbamwe kuti akunde nhevedzano mushure mekudzikira 6-0. Zvisinei, mushure mokunge vawana 3-1 vachitungamira, vakawira kuSan Francisco Giants muNLCS
. Mushure memwaka, zvinyorwa zvepamusoro zvakaita seESPN uye "Baseball Prospectus" zvakaramba zvichitarisa iyo Cardinals purazi sisitimu seimwe yemasisitimu epamusoro mu baseball.