Bader will start in center field and lead off Sunday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

With normal table setter Matt Carpenter resting, Bader will be rewarded with a temporary turn atop the lineup after shining at the bottom of the order the past two contests. In his first two starts in Texas, Bader went 5-for-8 with a solo home run and three additional runs.

Bader went 2-for-4 with two runs in a win over the Rangers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Bader recently lost his everyday role to a combination of injury and the strong play of both Jose Martinez and Dexter Fowler, but an interleague series in an AL park has opened up an extra spot in the lineup. The young outfielder has taken advantage of the opportunity over the first two games against the Rangers, going 5-for-8 with a home run and four runs during that stretch. The brief two-game surge has included Bader's first pair of multi-hit efforts in May and has served to boost his season average 42 points to .247.

Bader went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Getting the start in center field and hitting ninth in an American League park, which let Jose Martinez slot in at DH, Bader did his best to prove he deserves a spot in the starting lineup on a more regular basis. He now sports a .234/.366/.416 slash line through 32 games with four homers, and his 0-for-3 performance on the basepaths encapsulates his struggles through the first quarter of the season.

Bader, who's been cleared for full-time duty after recently dealing with neck stiffness, has lost his starting outfield job for the time being due to the strong play of Dexter Fowler and Jose Martinez, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bader made an appearance as a pinch hitter in Tuesday's blowout win over the Braves and did not leave the dugout in Wednesday's loss. The young outfielder is slashing just .208/.352/.361 (89 plate appearances), while Martinez and Fowler sported .339 and .294 averages, respectively, heading into Wednesday's action. Goold reports manager Mike Shildt has been in constant communication with Bader about the current scenario, which the latter is handling professionally. "All I can control is my mindset coming to the field and my preparation here," said the 24-year-old Bader. "I'm going to do everything I can to help contribute to a victory, whether it's in the first inning or the ninth."

Bader (neck) went 1-for-2 in Tuesday's 14-3 win over the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Bader pinch-hit for pitcher Jack Flaherty and then remained in the game in center field, shifting Dexter Fowler to right field as Jose Martinez exited the game. Bader's injury is not considered serious, so the 24-year-old should soon be challenging Fowler and Martinez for a starting role once again. Bader will have to do better than the .208 average he's compiled in 72 at-bats so far this season if that challenge is to be successful.

Bader was held out of Sunday's game against the Pirates due to neck stiffness, Jeff Jones of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals don't believe Bader is dealing with a serious issue, but they held him out Sunday as a precaution. Following a scheduled off day Monday, he figures to have a good shot to rejoin the starting nine Tuesday against the Braves.

Bader is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Bader finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in five games and looks like he's lost out on primary center-field duties to Dexter Fowler for the time being. Though Bader boasts superior defense at the position, manager Mike Shildt will likely continue to ride Fowler while the veteran is sporting a hot bat. After a disastrous 2018 season, Fowler is slashing .307/.425/.409 in 106 plate appearances entering Wednesday's contest.

Bader went 1-for-4 with a two-run single in a win over the Nationals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Bader's timely fourth-inning hit and plated Jose Martinez and Yadier Molina turned out to be crucial, as it erased an early 2-1 deficit and brought home the final runs scored by either team on the night. The emerging outfielder has enjoyed facing Washington pitching over the first two games of the series, as he also slugged a solo home run in Monday night's matchup.

Bader went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Monday's 6-3 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

His fifth-inning blast off Patrick Corbin kick-started a six-run inning for the Cards. Bader is slashing .222/.397/.444 through 18 games with three homers and a steal, and while typically hitting eighth in front of the pitcher is doing wonders for his walk totals and OBP, the 24-year-old isn't seeing as many hittable pitches as GMs with fantasy shares in him would like.

Bader is not in Friday's lineup against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Bader came off the injured list Wednesday after missing 10 days with a hamstring issue, but he sat in that game against right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, and will sit again in this one against righty Anthony DeSclafani. With Jose Martinez and Dexter Fowler locked in at the plate, Bader may struggle to get starts against righties, at least in the short term.