Wainwright struck out a season-high nine while allowing two runs on a season-low two hits and a walk over six innings Thursday in Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds rallied to score twice on him in the first inning, but Wainwright was nearly perfect thereafter, and it took him only 78 pitches to cruise through six frames before being lifted for a pinch hitter. It's been a tough road for Wainwright this year, but his last two outings -- just four runs on seven hits and two walks with 15 strikeouts over 13 innings -- offer fantasy owners reason for optimism moving forward.

Wainwright (5-4) went seven innings against the Giants on Friday, and allowed only two runs on five hits and a walk while fanning six.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright was sharp, but he was outdueled by Johnny Cueto. Despite the loss, the 34-year-old lowered his ERA for the fourth consecutive game, and he registered a season-high mark for strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a homer in three of the past four games as well, so he's clearly trending in the right direction. He will look to keep it going in his next start against the Reds on the road Thursday.

Wainwright (5-3) allowed four runs on six hits over the course of seven innings against the Nationals on Saturday. He struck out.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright had problems with the long ball - allowing three - but other than that, it was a solid start for the 34-year-old righty. Even though this season has been a disappointment for him and his 5.71 ERA, Wainwright seems to be on the right track with seven runs allowed on 19.2 innings across his last three starts. He will look to keep it going in his next start against the Giants on Friday.

Wainwright (4-3) shut the Rockies out over 6.2 innings in Wednesday's win. He allowed just six hits and a walk while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Now that's more like the Wainwright fantasy owners have come to know and love. After he'd allowed at least three runs in each of his first eight starts, this was a breath of fresh air for the veteran righty and his embattled fantasy owners -- his longest and finest start of the season, it came against a Colorado offense that's no slouch even away from Coors Field. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Wainwright dropped his arm angle, which helped him get his signature curveball back on track. "I don't know if 'He's back' is the right thing to say," Wainwright said following this start. "But I'm dangerous. I'm dangerous again." We'll see if he can indeed carry this forward when he next starts Monday against the Cubs.

Wainwright (3-3) was smacked around for seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits in just five innings against the Angels on Thursday, but came away with a victory. He struck out three and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

It was painful to watch Wainwright labor to complete the five frames necessary for a win, and his 2016 struggles continue. The veteran righty seemed to make a promising return from his Achilles injury at the end of last season, but he hasn't delivered on that promise at all this year. His fastball's averaging a career-low 89.6 mph and his typically pinpoint command seems to have abandoned him. Even his legendary curveball hasn't been a positive -- that's how bad this season has been going. Wainwright is giving up harder contact and more line drives than ever before in his career. Don't be that owner who drops him right before he figures it all out, but he's practically unstartable until he rights the ship.

Wainwright didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Pirates, surrendering seven hits and three earned runs over 6.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

It looked like the wheels were starting to come off for the 34-year-old after back-to-back April starts where he surrendered 17 hits and 10 earned runs over 11.1 innings, but the two-time 20-game winner has largely righted the ship since then. He's posted quality starts in three of his last four trips to the mound, and brought his ERA almost two full runs from its high point of 8.27. Wainwright also did not issue a free pass for the first time this season, and was efficient in throwing only 95 pitches during what was his longest stint on the hill in 2016. He'll try to keep the momentum going when the Cardinals travel to the West Coast to take on the Dodgers next Friday.

Wainwright (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings to pick up his second straight win Monday against Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright also homered, a three-run blast in the fourth inning, his first dinger since 2012. He now has three quality starts, but all three have satisfied the stat's minimum requirements (six innings, three earned runs). Wainwright seems to have figured out the walk issue that plagued him in his first two starts (eight walks in 11 innings), but he still has yet to strike out more than five batters in a game and he has served up 41 hits in just 33.2 innings. Monday marked improvement for Wainwright, but we have seen only faint signs of the ace he used to be for the Cardinals thus far.

Wainwright (1-3) picked up his first win of the season Wednesday despite allowing the Diamondbacks to score four runs on seven hits and a walk in 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Despite the ugly line, there are some positives to point to here, including Wainwright striking out as many in this start as he had in any two prior outings this season combined. No one who drafted him saw his current 7.16 ERA coming, but fantasy owners would be well advised to stay patient with Wainwright rather than cutting ties for the waiver-wire flavor of the week -- he simply has too long a track record of success to ignore.

Wainwright (0-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two over six innings, and took the loss Friday at the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Wainwright gave up runs in the first and third innings of a game the Cardinals' offense would only post a single run. He now has posted quality starts in two of his four outings, but he's off to a horrible start with a 7.25 ERA along with a 1.75 WHIP. He'll make his next start Wednesday at the Diamondbacks.

Wainwright (0-2) surrendered 10 hits, seven earned runs and a walk over 5.1 innings in Saturday's 9-8 loss to the Reds. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals' ace was shelled, leading to his exit after 74 pitches. He started out well enough, retiring the first eight batters before opposing pitcher Brandon Finnegan singled with two outs in the third. Things began to spiral downward from that point, with Brandon Phillips tallying an RBI double in the fifth, and Phillips and Eugenio Suarez following with another pair of run-producing two-baggers in the next frame. Wainwright's earned runs have progressively increased in each start, and he's now sporting an 8.27 ERA over 16.1 innings of work. His next opportunity to right the ship should come next Friday night versus the Padres in San Diego.