Wong will start for Cardinals in NLDS Game 1

Kolten Wong‘s hamstring won’t keep him out of the lineup when the St. Louis Cardinals open the NL Division Series at Atlanta on Thursday.

Manager Mike Shildt told reporters that Wong, who has been out since Sept. 19 with a strained hamstring, will start against the Braves.

Wong’s return restores his Gold Glove-caliber defense to second base, which had been manned quite ably by rookie Tommy Edman while he was out. That allows Edman to return to third base, where Matt Carpenter will move back to the bench.

Wong also was perhaps the Cardinals’ most consistent hitter in the weeks prior to his injury. He has a .285 batting average, tops among Cardinals qualifiers for the batting title.

Wong told Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest on Wednesday that he feels good. “I’m game ready,” he said.

Kolten Wong tells @TheCatOnFox he’s good to go. “I’m game ready. … I’m not going to let a little hamstring strain keep me out.” #STLCards #TimeToFly pic.twitter.com/VEoIWEKwLv

— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) October 2, 2019