NL Central: Lineup shifts are looming

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals haven’t had the turnaround they were hoping for in 2024. While it’s impossible to pin all of the team’s failures on one player, Paul Goldschmidt (1B, STL) certainly has to shoulder plenty of the blame. His falloff has been significant, as his contact rate has dropped from 72 percent in 2023 to 65 percent so far this season. Even when he has made contact, his barrel rate is just 4.3 percent, nearly a third of his rate last season.  

His struggles were thrust into the spotlight this week when he was out of the lineup both Wednesday and Thursday, specifically in an effort to get him on track. In two games since his return (Friday and Saturday), he’s gone 1-for-9 with four strikeouts (he did homer...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

Joey Cantillo had a strong performance last time out, but can he do enough to hold onto a spot in the rotation?
Jul 11 2025 3:11am
Kim to see more action at 2B in LA; Ginkel next man up in ARI bullpen; playing time crunch in COL OF; Trenton Brooks seeing playing time in SD; 1B challenges continue in SF
Jul 10 2025 3:10am
As Max Scherzer's sore thumb is having a noticeable impact on his ability to make it through games, where does Toronto's rotation depth stand?
Jul 9 2025 3:07am
Robert Garcia has been struggling of late. Is it time for a new closer in Texas?
FREE
Jul 8 2025 3:05am
Luis Robert Jr. should be back soon, DeLauter raking at Triple-A, and more from around the division.
Jul 4 2025 3:05am

Tools