Cardinals’ Allen Craig to be left off the NLCS roster

Due to a lingering foot injury, St. Louis Cardinals’ first baseman Allen Craig will be left off the team’s National League Championship Series roster.

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny told reporters today at his press conference that it was doubtful Craig would be on the NLCS roster, a personal goal Craig had set for himself in his recovery as the Cardinals pursue the organization’s 12th World Series title.

Cardinals’ rookie Matt Adams has picked up the slack left in the lineup by Craig’s absence, going 6-for-19 in the NLDS series win over the Pirates, including a double and a clutch, two-run home run in the deciding Game 5 at Busch Stadium Wednesday night.

This season, Craig was amongst the candidates for National League MVP, along with teammate Matt Carpenter, hitting .306 with 13 home runs and 97 RBIs in 134 games. He was named to the National League All-Star team for his exploits and his contributions are a major reason why St. Louis captured the National League Central crown in 2013.

Adams deserves his share of credit, as well, as he hit .284 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs in 108 games for St. Louis. On several occasions, Adams provided a clutch power bat off the bench for Matheny and since Craig’s injury, he has brought his big bat to the lineup on a regular basis.

The Cardinals will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, which begins Friday night in St. Louis at 8:30 p.m. ET.