Cruz will start Game 4 of the NLDS after it was announced Yadier Molina was a late scratch from the lineup, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz will take over behind the plate and hit eighth in the order for Molina, who was forced out of the lineup with a nagging injury in his thumb. With the veteran catcher's status up in the air moving forward, Cruz could see a significant increase in playing time if the Cardinals stay alive in the postseason.