JULY 21•MLB.COM
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves Game Story, Scores/Highlights - 07/21/2024This browser does not support the video element.
Lars Nootbaar - Logs steal in nightcapNootbaar went 1-for-4 with a double and a stolen base in a 9-5 win over Atlanta in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
ImpactThe outfielder collected three hits on the day after going 2-for-3 with a walk in a 3-2 loss in the matinee. Nootbaar is batting .250 with a home run and two doubles across nine games since he returned from an oblique injury that cost him more than five weeks. For the season, Nootbaar is slashing .237/.325/.401 with six homers, four steals, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, nine doubles and a triple over 201 plate appearances. He's operated as the Cardinals' top right fielder since his return, though he occasionally shifts over to center when Michael Siani is out of the lineup.
JULY 21•ROTOWIRE
Willson Contreras - Four hits in doubleheaderContreras went 4-for-9 with one RBI and one run scored across both games of Saturday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.
ImpactContreras earned his fourth multi-hit effort over 15 games in July with a three-hit game in the nightcap. The catcher looks like he hasn't missed a beat since returning from a broken forearm in late June, batting .278 with four homers and 13 RBI over 22 contests following a six-week absence. He's up to a .280/.404/.511 slash line with 10 homers, 25 RBI, 32 runs scored, 13 doubles and three stolen bases through 53 games this season. Manager Oliver Marmol has committed to keeping Contreras in the lineup, so he should be in the lineup at either catcher or designated hitter on a near-everyday basis.
JULY 21•ROTOWIRE
Alec Burleson - Four RBI in twin billBurleson went 4-for-9 with four RBI and one run scored across both games of Saturday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.
ImpactBurleson did most of his damage in a 9-5 win for the Cardinals in the nightcap. He had a sacrifice fly to open the scoring in the first inning and added a pair of RBI singles. Burleson's breakout has reached another level in July -- he's hitting .355 with eight extra-base hits and 19 RBI over 15 games this month. Overall, he's at a .292/.323/.492 slash line with 17 homers, 57 RBI, 42 runs scored, seven stolen bases and 14 doubles across 91 games.
JULY 21•ROTOWIRE
Nolan Gorman - Goes yard in Game 2Gorman went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 9-5 win over Atlanta in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
ImpactGorman sat out the matinee game, and he delivered in the nightcap with a go-ahead blast in the second inning. The homer was his first since July 2 and his 18th of the year, though he also struck out multiple times for the sixth time in seven games. Gorman's 37.9 percent strikeout rate continues to drag down the rest of his line -- he's slashing .207/.279/.420 with 18 homers, 49 RBI, 39 runs scored, six stolen bases and 13 doubles. Given his contact troubles, Gorman is likely to remain in a strong-side platoon role at second base, and he could begin to sit against some right-handers as well if he doesn't correct course.
JULY 21•ROTOWIRE
Brendan Donovan - Homers in nightcapDonovan went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in a 9-5 win over Atlanta in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
ImpactDonovan was held hitless in the matinee, the fourth time in 15 games in July that's happened. He bounced back in the nightcap, hitting a solo shot in the fifth inning and adding a two-run single in the ninth. The 27-year-old is batting .328 in July, and he's up to .275 for the year with a .757 OPS, nine homers, 48 RBI, 44 runs scored, 22 doubles, one triple and three stolen bases over 93 games.
JULY 21•ROTOWIRE
Nolan Arenado - Lifts ninth homerArenado went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 3-2 loss to Atlanta in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.
ImpactArenado also went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in the nightcap, a 9-5 win for St. Louis. The third baseman continues to hit well in July -- he's batting .310 over 15 contests, though just three of his 18 hits this month have gone for extra bases. Overall, he's at a .270/.323/.386 slash line with nine homers, 41 RBI, 39 runs scored, one stolen base and 14 doubles through 92 games.
JULY 21•ROTOWIRE
