ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals snapped a five-game losing streak in extra innings Sunday afternoon to end June sitting at .500 (41-41). But the record only matters in relation to the standings, and the Cards are just three games back from the Cubs and Brewers, who are tied atop the National League Central.

Questions this week ranged from the upcoming Trade Deadline to the offense to pitching. Let’s get to some of them.

I'm pretty perplexed at the pitching staff. What do you see as the biggest problem so far this season?
-- Martin Shaff, Canada

The pitching seems worse than it is. Here are some numbers to back up that statement: The Cardinals' pitching staff has a 4.15 ERA, which ranks fourth in the NL and ninth in the Majors. The rotation has a 4.25 ERA (sixth in the NL), and the bullpen has a 4.00 ERA (fifth in the NL).

Consider, too, the example of a starter pitching a quality start but not getting any run support. In his start Friday against the Padres, Michael Wacha pitched five scoreless innings, gave up two home runs in the sixth and pitched a scoreless seventh to end his outing. After seven good innings, Wacha still was awarded the loss because the Cardinals' offense couldn’t score more than a run.

But Wacha’s outing does tell us where the Cardinals could improve: Home runs. Cards pitchers have allowed 112 home runs, which is tied for sixth most in the NL with the Brewers and ranks 15th most in the Majors. St. Louis starters have given up 72 home runs, with Jack Flaherty leading the way with 18, tied with five other starters for most in the NL.

There is room for improvement for this pitching staff, and consistency remains a key factor in giving the Cardinals the opportunity to win games. An outside starting pitcher could be that factor, which leads us to the next question.

Is a starting pitcher enough to get the Cardinals into the playoffs, or do they need to get something else at the Trade Deadline?
-- Scott, Saint Clair, Missouri

We are now officially in the month of July, so the July 31 Trade Deadline is fast approaching. With the Cardinals still vying for a spot in the playoffs, even after a slow offensive month, there’s room to believe that the Cards could be active with trades.

Yes, a front-line starter will certainly help the Cardinals close the gap and make the jump in the standings. But there’s a catch, too. St. Louis must start hitting again.

The numbers in the first question show that the pitching staff hasn’t been outstanding but hasn’t been the crux of this team sitting at 41-41 right now. Before Sunday’s five-run game, the Cards had scored 10 runs in their last five games, and four of those came with two outs in the ninth inning against the Angels on June 23.

With 92 runs in June, St. Louis was tied with Cincinnati for the lowest run total in the NL and second lowest in the Majors -- Detroit had 82 runs this month. The Cardinals rank dead last in the Majors in on-base percentage this season, with .286.

A starting pitcher could do a lot to help this team make the playoffs for the first time since 2015. But that pitcher can only do so much; the hitters need to get on base and drive runners home.

We keep hearing the word shakeup, and it stands to reason we could see big moves in the future. Who, in your assessment, is safe (i.e. unlikely to be traded)?
-- Stephen Hmiel

If the Cardinals do go out and get a starter -- or any other piece, for that matter -- a package of prospects would likely be traded away. Top offense and pitching prospects would be needed for a starter like Madison Bumgarner or someone else.

As far as who is safe, don’t expect the Cards to trade away players they’ve signed contracts with. Paul Goldschmidt is here to stay for the next few years, as his contract has just begun. So are Matt Carpenter and Dexter Fowler, who is halfway through his contract and is performing better this year than last.

Marcell Ozuna is a free agent after this season, but he’s talked about wanting to stay in St. Louis. Although Ozuna is on the injured list right now, St. Louis might not want to trade away the player who leads the team in home runs (20) and RBIs (62).