Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Sun 3/3/24 3:46 PM

Goldschmidt is 1-for-10 with five strikeouts and a walk over his first five Grapefruit League games.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt's strikeout rate ticked up to 23.5 percent last season -- it's been steadily going up since his career-low mark of 18.7 percent in 2020. By normal standards, Goldschmidt was fine with a .268/.363/.447 slash line over 154 games last season, but it was a vast drop compared to his MVP-level performance the year before. The 36-year-old first baseman isn't in danger over losing his spot in the lineup, but he may simply no longer be the ever-reliable hitter he once was. A better showing from the Cardinals' offense as a whole may be able to buoy Goldschmidt's numbers even if his best years are behind him.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Sun 10/1/23 2:11 PM

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt returned to the lineup the past two games after missing a couple with back tightness, and he'll return to the bench for St. Louis' final game of the year. Barring an appearance off the bench, the veteran first baseman will close 2023 with an .810 OPS, 25 home runs, 11 steals, 80 RBI and 89 runs in 154 contests.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Fri 9/29/23 2:57 PM

Goldschmidt (back) is starting at first base and batting second Friday against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt has sat out the Cardinals' last two games while dealing with back tightness, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Friday's contest. The 36-year-old first baseman has been held hitless (0-for-8) over his last three games.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Thu 9/28/23 3:43 PM

Manager Oliver Marmol said Goldschmidt is out of the lineup Thursday at Milwaukee due to back tightness, Bally Sports Midwest reports.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt also sat Wednesday, though Marmol indicated that the back issue is nothing serious. "We want to make sure he's good to play when we get back home in front of our own fans [for the final weekend in St. Louis]," Marmol said Thursday. "No reason to really push through it today." Luken Baker has been filling in at first base.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Thu 9/28/23 1:09 PM

Goldschmidt remains out of the lineup Thursday at Milwaukee.
EDGE Analysis
There's no word of an injury, but Goldschmidt did not play in the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Brewers on Wednesday and will ride the pine again in Thursday's series finale. Luken Baker is starting at first base as Juan Yepez fills the DH role.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Wed 9/27/23 4:08 PM

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game at Milwaukee.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt started the previous 14 games but will take a seat Wednesday after he posted a .200/.322/.380 slash line during that span. Luken Baker will move to first base while Juan Yepez receives a start as St. Louis' designated hitter.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Mon 9/18/23 6:34 AM

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt opened up the scoring with a two-run double in the third and then made some more noise with a solo blast to center in the fifth. It was his fourth game with three RBI or more this season and brought him up to five extra-base hits in 14 games this month. Though he certainly hasn't replicated his 2022 MVP form, Goldschmidt has produced another solid year, slashing .273/.366/.456 with 25 homers, 78 RBI, 85 runs and an 81:152 BB:K in 648 plate appearances.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Sat 9/16/23 1:52 AM

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt had gone over a month since his last steal (Aug. 14). In that span, the first baseman hit a light .247 over 26 contests. He's up to 11 thefts in 13 attempts this year while slashing .271/.365/.448 with 24 home runs, 74 RBI and 83 runs scored over 142 games. He should continue to see regular playing time down the stretch, though it wouldn't be surprising to see the Cardinals rest the 36-year-old a bit more often since they are out of contention.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Wed 9/13/23 12:42 PM

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.
EDGE Analysis
Goldschmidt welcomed Baltimore starter John Means back from Tommy John surgery with a first-inning solo shot. This was Goldschmidt's second homer over 10 games in September and his 24th long ball of the year, though he's hitting just .200 this month. The small slump has him down to a .272/.363/.452 slash line with 74 RBI, 82 runs scored, 26 doubles and 10 stolen bases through 140 contests overall.

Paul Goldschmidt
1B/DH STL
Sun 9/10/23 10:31 AM

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Cincinnati.
EDGE Analysis
It's likely just a maintenance day for Goldschmidt, who started the Cardinals' previous 42 games and had a .765 OPS during that span. Alec Burleson will take over at first base for Sunday's series finale versus the Reds.