Wainwright is slated to throw at least 45 pitches in twice-a-week bullpen sessions while spring training remains suspended, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander put together his best performance of Grapefruit League play Thursday, throwing five scoreless innings against the Marlins before a pause was put on spring training. Manager Mike Shildt and his staff have put together the aforementioned maintenance program for their projected starting pitchers, and although each player's template is expected to be individualized to an extent, Wainwright's will likely be close to those parameters. The 38-year-old had worked up to 73 pitches in his start against Miami.

Wainwright started Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Marlins and fired five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and no walks while recording three strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander threw 73 pitches overall in a highly efficient performance, one that was in stark contrast to his prior start against the Mets, when he'd surrendered five earned runs on eight hits across four innings. Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Wainwright attributed his success Thursday to some tweaks he made after his last start, including changes to his delivery, timing and grips on the ball. The 38-year-old has enjoyed a solid spring overall with the exception of his aforementioned hiccup against New York, and he currently carries a 4.61 ERA across 13.2 innings over four starts.

Wainwright allowed five earned runs on eight hits and one walk across four innings in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Thursday. He did not record a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright was notably facing the Mets for the third time in as many Grapefruit League starts, so some familiarity may have certainly been working against him. Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Wainwright worked up to 64 pitches (47 strikes), but the veteran right-hander felt like he clearly wasn't hitting on all cylinders. "Traditionally when you execute pitches, it doesn't matter a whole lot [who you face]," Wainwright said. "But I'm missing the last little bit of life, jump on the heater, last little bit of sink on the sinker, last little bit of slide on the slider, last little bit of drop on the curveball. So I had two strikes a lot, but couldn't put anybody away."

Wainwright will start Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets and throw two innings or 35 pitches, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander returned to the Cardinals this offseason on a one-year contract in November after a resurgent 2019, one in which he forged his best win total (14) since the 2014 campaign. Wainwright projects as the No. 4 starter in the rotation when it's at full health, but with Miles Mikolas (forearm) not projected to be ready for Opening Day, the former will bump up to the No. 3 role temporarily.

Wainwright and the Cardinals agreed to terms on a one-year contract Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old had a bounce-back season in 2019, starting 31 games (equaling his combined total from the previous two seasons) while posting a respectable 4.19 ERA. He's far from the elite arm he was when he was younger, but he's a good bet to hold down a spot in the back of the Cardinals' rotation in his 15th season in the majors. The terms of the deal are not yet clear.

Wainwright is expected to return to the Cardinals in 2020, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old hit free agency after he recorded a 4.19 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP in 2019, but there is apparently mutual interest between the two sides to negotiate a new contract. Wainwright has dealt with injuries in each of the past three seasons which have hindered his production and availability, but he'll likely still have a spot in the rotation next season if he returns to St. Louis.

Wainwright was named the starter for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Nationals on Saturday, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old will take the mound in Game 2 after Jack Flaherty started Game 5 of the NLDS on Wednesday. Wainwright pitched 7.2 shutout innings Game 2 of the NLDS, allowing four hits and two walks while recording eight strikeouts. Miles Mikolas will start the first game of the NLCS with Flaherty likely starting Game 3.

Wainwright was named the starter for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Braves, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was unclear whether Wainwright or Dakota Hudson would take the mound for Game 3 of the NLDS, but manager Mike Shildt named Wainwright the starter largely due to his past experience in the postseason. The 38-year-old carries a 14-10 record with a 4.19 ERA over 31 starts in 2019. If necessary, Hudson is expected to serve as the starter for the fourth game of the series.

Wainwright (14-10) allowed six runs on 12 hits -- including four home runs -- over 4.1 innings in a loss to the Cubs on Saturday. He struck out three and did not issue a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright had been on a great run, posting an ERA under 1.00 over the span of five starts, but the magic ran out over his final two regular-season outings (20 hits, 11 earned runs in 9.1 innings). It was a homer parade Saturday, with Ian Happ going yard twice off Wainwright and Kyle Schwarber and Victor Caratini playing long ball as well. The 38-year-old ends the regular season with a 4.19 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 171.2 innings.

Wainwright, who was originally scheduled to pitch the regular-season finale against the Cubs on Sunday, will instead start Saturday's game, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright will still be going on normal four days' rest for his final regular-season turn. Manager Mike Shildt is keeping his options open for a potentially relevant Sunday finale, as the Cardinals are still trying to clinch the National League Central and own just a slim one-game lead over the Brewers entering the weekend. The modification of the rotation leaves both Miles Mikolas -- Saturday's original projected starter -- and ace Jack Flaherty available to Shildt should St. Louis fail to clinch Saturday, the first day they'd be able to do so.