Cardinals intent on returning to top of NL Central (Yahoo Sports)

The St. Louis Cardinals have been the gold standard of the NL Central for the better part of this century, having won nine division titles and reached the postseason 12 times. While the Chicago Cubs have been all the talk across baseball this spring following their first World Series championship in 108 years, the Cardinals have quietly been preparing for a return to the playoffs after missing last season for the first time since 2010. Motivation to make it back ''is at an all-time high from a team standpoint,'' starter Adam Wainwright said.