Goldschmidt is slashing just .241/.284/.349 over 88 plate appearances heading into Monday's series opener against the Phillies, but he's hitting .303 and .429 over 33 total PAs with men on base and men in scoring position, respectively.

EDGE Analysis

The knack for timely hitting, which surfaced again in Sunday's win over the Reds when Goldschmidt laced a two-run single, has led to nine total RBI over the aforementioned sample. Conversely, the veteran is just 10-for-50 with two doubles and a pair of home runs with the bases empty, leading to the early underwhelming line.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-3 with a two-run double, a walk and a run in a win over the Reds on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran's third-inning two-bagger extended the Cardinals' lead to 3-0 at the time and gave Goldschimdt his third multi-RBI effort of the season. The 33-year-old had gone hitless in three of his previous four games, however, and he's underwhelmed early with a .240/.288/.360 slash through 80 plate appearances.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 12-5 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

He launched a solo shot off Joe Ross in the third inning -- one of five Cards homers on the night -- and also chipped in an RBI single in the eighth. Goldschmidt has three multi-hit performances and both his home runs on the year over the last six games, pushing his slash line up to .266/.309/.391.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs scored and three RBI on Tuesday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Goldschmidt quickly got on track, taking Stephen Strasburg yard in his first at-bat for his first home run of the season. It was also his first extra-base hit since Opening Day, and he entered Tuesday's contest having gone just 5-for-34 at the dish since. Goldschmidt is only striking out a 17.4 percent clip, so this early-season slump is likely just a small hiccup early on rather than a sign of things to come.

Goldschmidt (back) is starting at first base and hitting second Saturday against the Brewers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Goldschmidt is ready to return to the lineup after missing the last couple games. He is hitting .308 with two doubles, seven strikeouts and two walks through six games.

Goldschmidt (back) expects to play in Saturday's game against the Brewers, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Goldschmidt sat out Thursday's game against Milwaukee due to lower-back tightness and was re-evaluated Friday. However, it appears as though he'll be able to return following a one-game absence. In his first six games of the season, Goldschmidt has gone 8-for-26 with two doubles, six runs, two RBI and seven strikeouts.

Goldschmidt (back) will re-evaluated Friday "and in the days to come," Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Goldschmidt was held out of the lineup Thursday after his back locked up on him. He's officially considered day-to-day, and manager Mike Shildt's comments suggest his absence may extend for several games. If that is the case, John Nogowski and Matt Carpenter are candidates to take over duties at first base.

Goldschmidt isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers due to lower-back tightness, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Goldschmidt had started each of the first six games of the season and went 8-for-26 with six runs and two RBI. Matt Carpenter will slide to first base and bat second Thursday while Tommy Edman starts at second base and leads off. It's not yet clear whether Goldschmidt will be forced to miss additional time.

Goldschmidt went 4-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored and one RBI in Thursday's win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

He powered St. Louis with four hits from the two hole (between Tommy Edman and Nolan Arenado) in a vintage performance. It's always nice to see a player locked in early. Goldschmidt will look to get on the board with his first long ball this weekend before the Cardinals leave the friendly confines of Great American Ball Park.

Goldschmidt 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a Grapefruit League tie with the Astros on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger launched his first round tripper of spring off Astros starter Bryan Abreu to give the Cardinals an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The blast was Goldschmidt's sixth hit of spring and second of the extra-base variety. The 33-year-old is set to likely operate out of the No. 2 or No. 3 hole in the lineup most days during the coming season, with offseason acquisition Nolan Arenado, who's expected to hit directly behind him, offering him an invaluable level of protection that Goldschmidt didn't enjoy in his first two Cardinals campaigns.