How Alec Burleson can lead the Cardinals back to contention

That should tell you something about how the Cardinals view Burleson and the growth he’s made since debuting in 2022.

Just hours after finding out he would stay with St. Louis, Burleson stepped into the batter’s box at Yankee Stadium on Monday and did what he’s become so dependable at doing: He mashed. (Three home runs.)

Burleson’s standout performance put an exclamation point on what…