The Latest Breaking News from Nolan Arenado

CINCINNATI — One way for the Cardinals to get away with removing the heart of their lineup and letting it rest in the dugout Thursday afternoon was to get a heady pitching performance that did not need much from the lineup at all.

Following a depressing start, St. Louis now looks like the best team in the NL Central.

Some players are connecting more than ever to boost their value in 2023, while a few of the usual stars are unexpectedly struggling at the plate.

The National League Central favorites are playing like anything but that as they prepare to visit the Cubs on Monday.

Despite four straight postseason appearances leading up to 2023, St. Louis is MLB’s biggest surprise meltdown as it rounds out the bottom of the NL Central.

SEATTLE — The player that’s exceeded expectations and provided so much of the offense in recent weeks was finally joined by the two players acquired to provide offense, but haven’t lived up to those expectations yet in the early part of the season.

ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals offense exploded for a season-high 14 runs on 13 hits as they scored three runs or more in four separate innings to avoid being swept at home for the second time in this young season.

ST. LOUIS — Left-hander Jordan Montgomery had been the most consistent member of the Cardinals’ starting rotation, but the fourth inning became a frame he’d like to forget as the Arizona Diamondbacks scored six runs and turned the slimmest of Cardinals leads into a significant deficit for the home club.

ST. LOUIS — Bases loaded situations had been a painfully unsuccessful scenario for the Cardinals, and it looked like it might be part of another frustrating loss marked by missed opportunities. But Tommy Edman smacked an RBI single through the infield with two outs and the bases loaded to drive…