As the St. Louis Cardinals go into three-game home series against the Reds, they are 6 and 1/2 games out of the 3rd wild-card spot and must pass three teams ahead of them in the standings.

There are only 19 games left on the STL schedule. The Cardinals have a 0.6% chance of making the postseason.

This season is over. So why is Luken Baker sitting on the bench? Why is Victor Scott II sitting on the bench?

The Cardinal offense has been awful over the last six games, so this isn't a matter of sticking with a "hot" lineup. It makes no sense to stay with the same guys in the lineup while leaving two potentially important hitters (for 2025) watching the dugout.

And before manager Oli Marmol unplugged them, Baker and Scott were performing well offensively.

One more thing: Lance Lynn won't be a Cardinal next season, and his remaining schedules starts should be taken by a prospect -- Quinn Mathews, Michael McGreevy.

Time to face reality, Cardinals.