Weaver tossed four perfect innings in the Cardinals' 4-3 win over the Nationals in Grapefruit League play. He struck out four batters in the outing.

EDGE Analysis

After excelling during a 10-start slate with the Cardinals last season, Weaver has only raised expectations since the spring began, with Sunday's scoreless outing dropping his ERA to 1.00 over nine innings. His latest start was rendered more impressive considering that Washington stocked its lineup with several mainstays, none of whom found much success against the right-hander. Weaver seems to be reaping the benefits of an offseason weight-training program that allowed him to add 15 pounds to his wiry frame, according to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, easing some concern about the 24-year-old's ability to handle what will likely be a 150-plus-inning workload this season.

Weaver is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB over five innings across his first two spring appearances.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old has pitched to some contact, but he's been able to limit the damage by missing a few bats as well. In a 2-1 Grapefruit League win over the Nationals on Monday, Weaver stretched out to three innings and recorded four of the five strikeouts he's logged this spring, with the solo home run he gave up to Andrew Stevenson during his final frame serving as his one major blemish. Weaver was much more impressive in 2017 than in his first major-league stint the year prior, going 7-2 with a serviceable 3.88 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP and an impressive 72:17 K:BB across 13 games, 10 of them starts. The emerging right-hander gained 15 pounds this offseason in preparation for what is expected to be his first full major-league campaign in 2018.

Weaver won't enter the 2018 season with a workload restriction, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Over the course of the offseason, Weaver gained approximately 15 pounds in an effort to improve his durability for the upcoming season. To this point, being able to throw a large number of innings has been a challenge for Weaver, who's 138 combined frames between Triple-A Memphis and the majors last season was the most of his career. While it's possible that the Cardinals could impose an innings limit on Weaver if health becomes an issue for the 24-year-old, he'll enter the season looking to accumulate as many innings as he can.

Weaver allowed six runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four batters through 4.2 innings during Saturday's win over Milwaukee. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

This was the second straight poor showing from Weaver. He posted a 2.05 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.1 K/9 through 52.2 innings over 11 appearances before allowing 14 runs through just 7.2 frames in his past two starts. While the recent funk is worrisome, Weaver's long-term fantasy outlook remains promising, and the 24-year-old righty projects to be a coveted asset heading into 2018 drafts.

Weaver (7-2) allowed eight runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out just three batters through only three innings to take the loss to the Cubs on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

This was a disastrous outing from the 24-year-old righty, but it was also his lone hiccup in an otherwise awesome late-season surge. After all, Weaver entered Monday's outing with an elite 2.05 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 11.1 K/9 through 52.2 innings over 11 appearances. Even with Monday's disappointing showing, gamers should expect Weaver's fantasy stock to soar leading into next season's draft season. He projects to make his final start of 2017 against the Brewers at Busch Stadium.

Weaver (7-1) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven batters through five innings to take the win against Cincinnati on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

After posting a high-end 2.55 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 this season with Triple-A Memphis, Weaver has been even better since hitting the majors with 2.05, 1.03 and 11.1 marks through 52.2 innings over 11 appearances. At this stage of the game, Weaver checks out as a strong option for his final two starts of the year at Busch Stadium against the Cubs and Brewers. He projects to be a coveted fantasy asset heading into the 2018 draft season.

Weaver (6-1) earned the win over the Reds on Thursday. He was charged with one unearned run on two hits and struck out six over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

This was an excellent performance from the 24-year-old, as he allowed a top-five scoring offense in the NL to put just two runners on over six. With this showing, Weaver brought his ERA under 2.00, and he's now picked up wins in five straight starts. Given how difficult it's been this year to find reliable starting pitching, Weaver is looking like a potential second-half fantasy MVP. He lines up to face the Reds again next week, this time in Cincinnati.

Weaver (5-1) recorded the win over the Pirates on Friday, allowing seven hits over 5.2 scoreless innings while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

An inflated pitch count -- Weaver threw 76 of 108 pitches for strikes -- prevented him from notching a quality start, but the young right-hander is staking a strong claim to remaining in the rotation through the rest of the season, posting a 1.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 45:8 K:BB in 33.2 innings while winning five straight decisions since the beginning of August. Weaver will next take the mound Thursday at home against the Reds.

Weaver improved to 4-1 Sunday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out nine in seven innings against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

He continues to roll in the big leagues, and now sports a 2.50 ERA in 36 innings this season and a career 3.78 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 66.2 innings as a starter. Weaver gets by primarily with his fourseam fastball and filthy changeup, but he has also mixed his curveball and cutter from time to time. His ability to rack up strikeouts and keep his team in games should allow fantasy owners to continue to extract value over the final four weeks. Weaver is scheduled to take the hill Friday against the Pirates.

Weaver (3-1) racked up 10 strikeouts over 5.2 innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk to collect the win.

EDGE Analysis

The Cardinals put 10 runs of support on the board, which doesn't hurt, but this was Weaver's second consecutive 10-strikeout start. His early returns have been nothing short of outstanding, as Weaver owns a 36:9 K:BB to accompany his 2.48 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 29 innings, and while that strikeout rate may not be sustainable for him, he's given fantasy owners plenty of reason for optimism. After all, the 24-year-old dominated in Triple-A this year and has seen his fastball velocity improve markedly from last season. He'll make his next start Sunday on the road against the Giants.