They recognize the hitter he can be.

Craig entered the weekend with a .242 average, a .354 slugging percentage, and a .648 OPS, nearly 200 points off last year’s OPS. His ground ball rate has spiked, his power has dipped, and his uncanny success with runners in scoring position has slipped, precipitously.

Yet, on Friday he was back in the middle of the Cardinals lineup because of past success against Cubs starter Travis Wood. Though he struck out twice and he was the only starter not to have a hit or score a run, Craig’s place in the lineup is telling. He’s started 12 of the 19 games since Oscar Taveras’ promotion and four of the first six after the All-Star break. Manager Mike Matheny is showing the faith in him that the Cardinals want him to have at the plate.

An official suggested that as the “games get fewer the at-bats could get fewer” for hitters struggling to produce. There is an internal interest in seeing Taveras play more often, though the rookie isn’t surging either. There remains a belief within the clubhouse and offices that the Cardinals’ offense, which led the National League in runs last season, is at its best when Craig is and he has to play to get there.