ATLANTA -- 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 the Atlanta Braves 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.