Matt Holliday Expected to Start Game 5

Matt Holliday expects to start game five of the NLDS tonight, telling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that his hand is feeling much better.  Holliday said the injury that kept him from starting the first three games of the series has improved much over the past week.

Holliday spent his off-day taking a full round of batting practice at Citizens Bank Park.  After testing his inflamed tendon, Holliday reported that the hitting process “is much improved”.

Earlier in the week, Holliday’s status for the NLDS was unknown.  The slugger was only able to come off the bench as a pinch-hitter in games one and three, and the Cardinals didn’t know if Holliday would be able to start at all during the first round series.  Holliday was forced to participate in limited and ultimately no batting practice, as the swings caused his hand severe pain.

But, after getting a hit Tuesday night in his lone at bat, Holliday was able to suit up for Wednesday’s game four.  Over his three plate appearances, Holliday went 1-3 while scoring two runs.

The inflamed tendon in Holliday’s right hand had hampered him at the plate and in the field.  Now, after his successful round of batting practice, it appears Holliday will again be able to start for Cardinals tonight in their pivotal game five against the Phillies.

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