13 Matt Carpenter 3B

Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Phillies on Monday.

Carpenter is now a blistering 6-for-14 with a double, Monday's homer, three RBI and two runs over the last three games. The surge is a much-needed one for the veteran, whose average sat at .190 prior to the modest hot streak. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that manager Mike Shildt noted Carpenter's swing looked like it had "clicked" in batting practice before last Friday's game, and his assessment appears to be correct, at least for the moment. "I think we see Carp taking more consistent at-bats and being more Carp-like, so to speak," Shildt said. "His work has been very positive, and his bat has been really consistent."

Carpenter went 3-for-5 with an RBI single, a run-scoring double and a stolen base in a loss to the Cubs on Saturday.

Carpenter turned in a signature leadoff effort, one that also marked his first three-hit tally of the campaign. The veteran infielder had been mired in a 1-for-23 slump over the prior six games, so his breakout Saturday was a particularly welcome sight that also vaulted his season average back over the Mendoza Line.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Saturday against Cincinnati.

Carpenter sits for just the second time this season. Jedd Gyorko gets the start at third base in his absence.

Carpenter went 2-for-2 with two walks and a run in a loss to the Reds on Friday.

Considering the 12-1 final score in favor of Cincinnati, Carpenter was essentially the only bright spot offensively for the Cardinals on the night. The veteran infielder has struggled to hit for average thus far, but he's traditionally been a slow starter. Additionally, it's worth noting Carpenter's on-base percentage, currently at .342, has been on an upward trend during the latter half of April. Moreover, he continues to square up on the ball consistently, as he's generated an impressive 29.4 percent line-drive rate and 40.0 percent hard-contact rate over 111 plate appearances thus far this season.

Carpenter (knee) is leading off and playing third base Sunday against the Mets.

Carpenter fouled a ball off his knee in Saturday's contest and was forced to leave the game. He wasn't diagnosed with anything worse than a contusion, and the issue evidently isn't serious enough for him to require a day off.