A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___St. Louis CardinalsManager: Mike Shildt (third season). 2019: 91-71, first place, lost to Nationals in NLCS.Training Town: Jupiter, Florida.Park: Roger Dean Stadium.First Workout: Feb. 12/17. He's Here: LHP Matthew Liberatore, C Matt Wieters, LHP Kwang-Hyun Kim.He's Outta Here: OF Marcell Ozuna, RF Jose Martinez, LF Randy Arozarena, RHP Dominic Leone.Going campin': The Cardinals return largely intact after getting swept in the NLCS by World Series champion Washington. The biggest competition throughout the spring will be in the outfield, where only Dexter Fowler has a position locked up — mostly because of his contract. Center fielder Harrison Bader probably has another spot under control, and that leaves Tyler O'Neill, Lane Thomas and top prospect Dylan Carlson competing for the last... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader is confident he'll be in center field for the St. Louis Cardinals when the season begins.Bader was in St. Louis on Saturday taking part in the annual Cardinals Winter Warm-Up."I'm the starting center fielder," the 25-year-old Bader said. "It's my position. I'm going to take it. There's no sense in talking about it. I'm looking forward to showing up Day One guns blazing and ready to go."While there is no question about his defensive ability and speed in center, it's his bat that gives some pause.Last season, Bader finished with a .205 batting average. He hit 12 home runs, drove in 39 runs and stole 11 bases."Last year, individually it wasn't what I wanted it to be production-wise," Bader said. "The biggest thing I've taken away at this point is how I responded. I've been very fortunate to be with people behind the scenes who've helped me take steps in the right direction to help me produce like I want to and how I know I can."There's no secret to it. There's... [More]

Nationals first. Trea Turner singles to right field. Adam Eaton doubles to right center field. Trea Turner to third. Anthony Rendon out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Harrison Bader. Trea Turner scores. Juan Soto doubles to deep left field. Adam Eaton scores. Howie Kendrick is intentionally walked. Ryan Zimmerman reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Howie Kendrick to second. Juan Soto to third. Fielding error by Kolten Wong. Victor Robles singles to shallow right field. Ryan Zimmerman to second. Howie Kendrick to third. Juan Soto scores. Yan Gomes singles to left field. Victor Robles to second. Ryan Zimmerman scores. Howie Kendrick scores. Patrick Corbin out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Yadier Molina to Kolten Wong. Yan Gomes to second. Victor Robles to third. Trea Turner singles to left field. Yan Gomes scores. Victor Robles scores. Adam Eaton lines out to shortstop to Paul DeJong.7 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Nationals 7, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fourth. Paul... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has benched Dexter Fowler and made several other changes to his slumping lineup for Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against the Washington Nationals.The Cardinals enter Tuesday night's game having scored a grand total of two runs and managed just 11 hits while falling into a 3-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.Going with a lineup he has not used all season, Shildt dropped Fowler — who is 0 for 11 in the NLCS and 2 for 33 this postseason — and put Harrison Bader in center field.Fowler's place in the leadoff spot is being taken by Tommy Edman, who moved up from No. 7 in the order. José Martínez was bumped to No. 2 from No. 5, where he started in the Cardinals' 8-1 loss in Game 3 on Monday.There are other shifts to the order, with only two spots unchanged: Paul Goldschmidt at No. 3, and Marcell Ozuna in the cleanup spot.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler walks. Kolten Wong out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Mike Foltynewicz to Freddie Freeman. Dexter Fowler to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to shortstop. Dexter Fowler to third. Marcell Ozuna singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Dexter Fowler scores. Yadier Molina reaches on error. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Fielding error by Freddie Freeman. Matt Carpenter walks. Yadier Molina to second. Marcell Ozuna to third. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Tommy Edman doubles to right field. Matt Carpenter to third. Yadier Molina scores. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul DeJong is intentionally walked. Jack Flaherty walks. Paul DeJong to second. Tommy Edman to third. Matt Carpenter scores. Dexter Fowler doubles to left field. Jack Flaherty to third. Paul DeJong scores. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong doubles to deep left center field. Dexter Fowler scores. Jack Flaherty scores. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to right field to Nick Markakis.... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter is in the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Sunday.Carpenter got the start at third and was hitting sixth in the order against the Atlanta Braves. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the series opener on Thursday and singled home a run in St. Louis' 7-6 victory.The 33-year-old Carpenter struggled for much of the season, but he hit .288 with two homers and seven RBIs in September."Just getting back to who he is, his anchor, what makes him successful," manager Mike Shildt said. "I like the fact he's been aggressive. You see him with really assertive swings, but you've also seen him take those swings in the zone. Seeing the ball really well. I think he's on time with his eyes and his body."Braves manager Brian Snitker stayed with the same lineup he used in the first two games except for pitcher Mike Soroka, who is making his postseason debut.The addition of Carpenter put Harrison Bader on the bench after he started the first... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Matt Carpenter is in the Cardinals' lineup for Game 3 of the NL Division Series.Carpenter got the start at third and was hitting sixth in the order for the matchup against Atlanta. He made a pinch-hitting appearance in the series opener and singled home a run in St. Louis' 7-6 victory.Braves manager Brian Snitker stayed with the same lineup he used in the first two games except for pitcher Mike Soroka, who is making his postseason debut.The addition of Carpenter put Harrison Bader on the bench after he started the first two games in center field. Rookie Tommy Edman shifted from third to right, and Dexter Fowler moved over to center.Cardinals manager Mike Shildt also announced that Dakota Hudson will start Game 4 on Monday. Hudson will be making his postseason debut after going 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA this season.Snitker said he is waiting to see what happens Sunday before finalizing his starter for Game 4. The teams split the first two in the best-of-five series.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Braves first. Ronald Acuna Jr. walks. Ozzie Albies walks. Freddie Freeman singles to left field. Ozzie Albies to third. Josh Donaldson reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Freddie Freeman to second. Ozzie Albies scores. Throwing error by Kolten Wong. Nick Markakis flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna. Matt Joyce flies out to left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Braves 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals fifth. Harrison Bader singles to shallow infield. Miles Mikolas out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Dallas Keuchel to Ozzie Albies. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base, Ozzie Albies to Freddie Freeman. Harrison Bader scores. Tommy Edman doubles to left center field. Paul Goldschmidt lines out to shortstop to Dansby Swanson.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Braves 1.Braves sixth. Freddie Freeman grounds out to third base, Tommy Edman to Paul Goldschmidt. Josh Donaldson hit by pitch. Nick Markakis doubles to right... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — St. Louis manager Mike Shildt says he considered more than offense when choosing rookie third baseman Tommy Edman over veteran Matt Carpenter in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against Atlanta on Thursday.Kolten Wong returns for the Cardinals at second base after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. Wong’s return pushed Edman from second base to third base.Carpenter hit only .226 this season but his .267 average in September was his best of any month. Shildt said defensive considerations were factors in his decisions to start both Edman and center fielder Harrison Bader.There are no surprises in the Braves’ lineup. Brian McCann is manager Brian Snitker’s choice to catch for left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who has worked well with Tyler Flowers. Snitker said he consulted with Keuchel, who is comfortable with either catcher.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Atlanta, 5:02 p.m. (TBS); Game 2, Friday, at Atlanta, 4:37 p.m. (TBS); Game 3, Sunday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 4, Monday, at St. Louis, TBA (TBS); x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Atlanta, TBA (TBS).x-if necessary.___Season Series: Braves won 4-2.___Projected Lineups:Cardinals: RF Dexter Fowler (.236, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs), 2B Tommy Edman (.307, 11, 36) or Kolten Wong (.285, 11, 59), 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.256, 33, 95), LF Marcell Ozuna (.242, 29, 88), C Yadier Molina (.271, 10, 57), 3B Matt Carpenter (.226, 14, 43), SS Paul DeJong (.234, 30, 78), CF Harrison Bader (.207, 12, 39).Braves: CF Ronald Acuña Jr (.280, 41, 101, 37/46 SBs), 2B Ozzie Albies (.295, 24, 86, 15/19 SBs), 1B Freddie Freeman (.295, 38, 121, .389 OBP), 3B Josh Donaldson (.259, 37, 94, .379 OBP), LF Nick Markakis (.285, 9, 62), RF Matt Joyce (.295, 7, 23) or Adam... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler walks. Tommy Edman walks. Dexter Fowler to second. Paul Goldschmidt singles to center field. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler scores. Marcell Ozuna grounds out to shortstop. Paul Goldschmidt out at second. Tommy Edman scores. Yadier Molina walks. Matt Carpenter reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Yadier Molina out at second.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Cubs 0.Cardinals second. Paul DeJong pops out to shallow infield to Victor Caratini. Harrison Bader flies out to left field to Kyle Schwarber. Jack Flaherty singles to left field. Dexter Fowler homers to center field. Jack Flaherty scores. Tommy Edman flies out to right field to Tony Kemp.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 4, Cubs 0.Cardinals third. Paul Goldschmidt singles to third base. Marcell Ozuna singles to left field. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Yadier Molina walks. Marcell Ozuna to second. Matt Carpenter homers to right field. Yadier Molina scores. Marcell Ozuna... [More]

Cubs first. Tony Kemp grounds out to shallow infield, Adam Wainwright to Paul Goldschmidt. Nico Hoerner strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber homers to center field. Ian Happ singles to right field. Jonathan Lucroy strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner singles to right field. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Nico Hoerner to second. Ian Happ homers to center field. Nico Hoerner scores. Jonathan Lucroy pops out to second base to Tommy Edman. Victor Caratini grounds out to shallow infield, Matt Carpenter to Paul Goldschmidt.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 0.Cubs fifth. Kyle Schwarber singles to shallow right field. Ian Happ homers to left field. Kyle Schwarber scores. Jonathan Lucroy lines out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Victor Caratini homers to right field. Addison Russell singles to left field. David Bote lines out to right field to Dexter Fowler. Daniel... [More]

Cardinals fourth. Yadier Molina flies out to deep center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Matt Carpenter homers to center field. Paul DeJong walks. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Dakota Hudson called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs sixth. Ian Happ homers to right field. Victor Caratini lines out to center field to Harrison Bader. Nico Hoerner singles to center field. Albert Almora Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Nico Hoerner out at second. Robel Garcia pinch-hitting for Alec Mills. Robel Garcia walks. Albert Almora Jr. to second. Tony Kemp grounds out to shallow infield, Giovanny Gallegos to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 1.Cubs seventh. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Willson Contreras singles to right field. Ben Zobrist to third. Ian Happ doubles to right field. Willson Contreras to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Victor Caratini hit by pitch. Nico Hoerner singles to... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler homers to right field. Tommy Edman grounds out to first base, Jake Lamb to Mike Leake. Paul Goldschmidt flies out to right field to Abraham Almonte. Marcell Ozuna lines out to center field to Jarrod Dyson.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks ninth. Christian Walker pinch-hitting for Abraham Almonte. Christian Walker called out on strikes. Ildemaro Vargas pinch-hitting for Domingo Leyba. Ildemaro Vargas homers to center field. Eduardo Escobar flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader. Adam Jones pinch-hitting for Jake Lamb. Adam Jones strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Diamondbacks 1.Cardinals thirteenth. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging. Paul Goldschmidt homers to center field. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Matt Carpenter pops out to shallow left field to Nick Ahmed.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 1.Diamondbacks thirteenth.... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging. Tommy Edman homers to center field. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Marcell Ozuna doubles to deep left field. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Yadier Molina grounds out to shortstop, Nick Ahmed to Christian Walker. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong lines out to third base to Jake Lamb.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 0.Diamondbacks second. Christian Walker singles to right field. Jake Lamb singles to right field. Christian Walker to third. Adam Jones singles to left field. Jake Lamb to second. Christian Walker scores. Nick Ahmed grounds out to shortstop. Adam Jones out at second. Jake Lamb to third. Carson Kelly called out on strikes.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 1.Cardinals third. Tommy Edman hit by pitch. Paul Goldschmidt homers to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna grounds out to third base, Jake Lamb to Christian Walker. Yadier Molina singles to left center field. Paul... [More]

Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo lines out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Nicholas Castellanos singles to center field. Kris Bryant hit by pitch. Nicholas Castellanos to second. Kyle Schwarber singles to deep left center field. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist called out on strikes. Victor Caratini pops out to shortstop to Matt Carpenter.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals third. Paul DeJong homers to left field. Harrison Bader called out on strikes. Miles Mikolas strikes out swinging. Dexter Fowler grounds out to shallow infield, Yu Darvish to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cubs sixth. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Ian Happ strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Ben Zobrist flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals ninth. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Tyler Webb. Jose Martinez triples to deep center field. Dexter Fowler out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Tyler O'Neill scores. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt doubles to deep left field. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Yairo Munoz strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Cubs 2.

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler called out on strikes. Tommy Edman triples to deep right center field. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo called out on strikes. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep right center field. Kris Bryant walks. Kyle Schwarber walks. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Kris Bryant to third. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber to third. Kris Bryant scores. Jason Heyward out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner flies out to deep right center field to Dexter Fowler.3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 1.Cardinals third. Dakota Hudson singles to center field. Dexter Fowler singles to... [More]

Cubs second. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep right center field. Willson Contreras grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Schwarber to third. David Bote reaches on error. Kyle Schwarber scores. Fielding error by Tommy Edman. Jason Heyward singles to right field. David Bote to third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop. Jason Heyward out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals sixth. Paul Goldschmidt walks. Marcell Ozuna walks. Paul Goldschmidt to second. Matt Carpenter walks. Marcell Ozuna to second. Paul Goldschmidt to third. Yadier Molina singles to center field. Matt Carpenter to second. Marcell Ozuna scores. Paul Goldschmidt scores. Paul DeJong pops out to shallow infield to Ian Happ. Harrison Bader flies out to right center field to Nicholas Castellanos. Matt Wieters pinch-hitting for Ryan Helsley. Matt Wieters reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Yadier Molina out at second.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 2, Cubs 1.

Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Harrison Bader walks. Tommy Edman to second. Jack Flaherty singles to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base. Jack Flaherty out at second. Harrison Bader to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Hendricks pops out to shallow right field to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rizzo homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos singles. Kris Bryant flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals fifth. Tommy Edman triples to right field. Harrison Bader singles to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Jack Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rizzo to Ben Zobrist. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler... [More]

Cardinals third. Paul DeJong strikes out swinging. Tommy Edman homers to right field. Adam Wainwright lines out to left field to Juan Soto. Dexter Fowler strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Nationals 0.Cardinals fifth. Matt Carpenter doubles to deep right field. Yadier Molina grounds out to first base to Howie Kendrick. Matt Carpenter to third. Paul DeJong grounds out to shallow infield, Max Scherzer to Howie Kendrick. Harrison Bader scores. Tommy Edman strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 2, Nationals 0.Nationals seventh. Victor Robles called out on strikes. Yan Gomes singles to right field, advances to 2nd. Fielding error by Dexter Fowler. Max Scherzer grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Trea Turner doubles to deep left field. Yan Gomes scores. Adam Eaton lines out to deep right field to Dexter Fowler.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Cardinals 2, Nationals 1.Cardinals seventh. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Yadier Molina pops out to shallow center field to Asdrubal Cabrera. Paul DeJong doubles to deep left field. Tommy Edman singles to left field. Paul DeJong scores. Matt Wieters pinch-hitting for Adam Wainwright. Matt Wieters homers to right field. Tommy Edman scores. Dexter Fowler pops out to Anthony Rendon.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 5, Nationals 1.