Yes, the Cardinals would have had a better season if Matt Carpenter didn’t start it swinging a bat of ice, and if Dexter Fowler caught a Carpenter-like resurgence, and if Marcell Ozuna’s shoulder worked, and if Greg Holland didn’t look like a man who had never pitched before after missing one spring training. These are the popular ones. There are others to ponder one last time — and then attempt to let go — as new opportunity nears.

What if Alex Reyes had dodged injury?

The pitcher who has been described as an X-factor for the past two seasons has worked just 50 major league innings between the two. This time, after battling back from Tommy John surgery, the 24-year-old righthander was limited to one four-inning start before a lat strain ended his season. It should not have gone that long. Reyes pitched through pain and dropping velocity before he was pulled from his lone start May 30. Whether a quicker hook might have made a difference, who knows.

What if the pivot to Shildt had happened sooner?