The perennial MVP candidate who quickly signed an extension to call St. Louis home has yet to find one in the Cardinals’ lineup. He’s hit second, third, and, most recently, cleanup in an attempt to ignite his and the team’s production, and still his OPS this season (.769) is about the National League average — for shortstops (.763). In the past three seasons, he’s hit .293/.389/.510 after the All-Star break, and last season he slugged his way into the MVP conversation with a .304/.393/.532 second half. Opponents are testing him with more off-speed pitches than ever, and he’s often in defensive counts.
FIVE TO THRIVE
