Who could supplant Wander Franco as MLB's youngest player?
Tampa Bay's Wander Franco is an established MLB star at age 21. So Jordan Shusterman goes in search of baseball's next phenom?APRIL 13, 2022
Early-season MLB stats can get absurd, which makes it fun
Early-season statistics in MLB can get pretty absurd, but that's part of the fun, Martin Rogers writes.APRIL 13, 2022
Andrew Knizner - Slugs homer in winKnizner went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.
ImpactThe backup catcher was initially expected to start Monday versus the Pirates before that game was rained out. Knizner still got his start Tuesday, and he made the most of it, as his three-run blast in the fourth inning gave the Cardinals just enough runs to get the win. The 27-year-old is expected to play more frequently than in past seasons to give Yadier Molina rest, so it's encouraging to see Knizner make an impact when given a start as he looks to cement his place as the Cardinals' catcher of the future.
APRIL 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Albert Pujols - Paces offense with three hitsPujols went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.
ImpactPujols' first hit Tuesday was his first-inning homer, his first long ball in his second stint with the Cardinals. He added a pair of singles and came around to score again in the fourth on an Andrew Knizner three-run shot in the fourth. Pujols isn't expected to receive regular playing time -- he'll mainly see the short side of a platoon with Corey Dickerson as the two veterans share the designated hitter spot.
APRIL 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Nolan Arenado - Hammers homer in winArenado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.
ImpactArenado opened the scoring in the first inning with his third long ball of the season. The third baseman has been locked in at the plate from the jump -- he's batting .438 with nine RBI and five runs scored. The 30-year-old has added three doubles. He slashed .255/.312/.494 in 157 games last year, and it's reasonable to think he can match or improve on those numbers in 2022.
APRIL 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Jordan Hicks - Earns win in reliefHicks (1-0) pitched two shutout innings, allowing a walk and striking out two to earn the win Tuesday versus the Royals.
ImpactHicks is expected to enter the rotation officially during this weekend's series versus the Brewers. He was called on in relief Tuesday to maintain his pitching schedule, and he delivered quality innings while throwing 18 of his 27 pitches for strikes. The hard-throwing right-hander has worked as a reliever in his three previous major-league seasons, and it may take him a few turns through the rotation to build up to a starter's workload.
APRIL 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Giovanny Gallegos - Converts first saveGallegos pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.
ImpactGallegos received his first save chance of the year and got through it without drama. The 30-year-old right-hander isn't the Cardinals' official closer, but he's one of their more proven high-leverage arms with 19 saves and 44 holds to his name over the last three campaigns. Tuesday was his second appearance of the season after a scoreless inning in a non-save situation last Saturday versus the Pirates.
APRIL 13, 2022•ROTOWIRE
