Even the rarity of turning a triple play wasn’t enough for the Cardinals to break out of their offensive funk, as they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 last night. As has been the case so often this season, they had chances and baserunners — seven hits, three walks — but were just one for 12 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base.

The loss brings the Cardinals to 31-31 with 100 games left until the end of the regular season on Sept. 28. Which is exactly what their record was through 62 games two years ago.

As a follow-up of sorts to this post from May 1, here’s a look at where the Cardinals were through 62 games — meaning 100 games to play — the past five seasons.

So the 2014 Cardinals are not in unfamiliar territory, necessarily, but not really in a place we want them to be. Or playing consistently like they certainly seem to be capable of playing.

But at least they turned a triple play last night — which likely was not what anyone was even considering when Jose Bautista stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and no one out in the sixth inning. Yet that’s exactly what happened, and you can watch it again here. The last time the Cardinals turned a triple play was May 5, 2005. So, continuing the 5/5 and now 6/6 pattern, pencil in the next one for July 7, 2023.

It’s a quick turnaround for today’s game — and, for an offense struggling to score runs, today’s task is a big one since the Cardinals face Mark Buehrle, who leads MLB with 10 wins and is fifth in MLB/second in the American League with a 2.10 ERA. And, as we all know, Buehrle is from St. Charles, Mo., and grew up a Cardinals fan. He’s only faced the Cards once, getting a win but allowing four earned runs on 10 hits.

Ah, for a repeat performance like that from the Cardinals today … along with a loss for Buehrle this time.

Starting for the Cards is Shelby Miller, who’s never faced the Jays before. Game time is 12:07 p.m. Central Time.