Nolan Arenado DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado continued his strong offensive start to the season in Monday's 8-3 win over the Astros. Arenado went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a solo home run, and two RBI. The 33-year-old punished a seventh-inning Luis Contreras middle-middle fastball, launching it into the left-field bullpen. Arenado seems to have left his awkward off-season with the Cardinals' front office in the past, slashing .316/.409/.526 with two HR and nine RBI in his first 66 plate appearances. His slugging percentage has been up after last season's disappointing production, although, like last season, he has not hit the ball very hard.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (illness) is returning to the starting nine on Tuesday evening when they continue a series against their NL Central rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arenado was unable to play in the series opener on Monday due to an illness. However, Arenado will return quickly to the starting nine, suggesting the injury was not serious. Through his first six games of the campaign, the 33-year-old has posted a stellar .371/.463/.543 slash line with three doubles and one home run. During this impressive start, he has held a 7.3 percent strikeout rate with a 14.6 percent walk rate. He will cover the hot corner and bat cleanup. Despite his strong start, he is not worth targeting in DFS facing right-hander Paul Skenes.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (illness) has been scratched from Monday's series opener at PNC Park against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates due to an illness and soreness, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Thomas Saggese will replace him at third base and will bat sixth against Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski. It doesn't sound like anything serious for Arenado, who should be considered day-to-day, and fantasy managers will want to check back on him on Tuesday. The 33-year-old veteran has looked great in the early going, batting .343 (12-for-35) with a homer, six RBI and six runs scored in 35 at-bats. Saggese, one of St. Louis' top prospects, hit his second career home run on Sunday night against the Red Sox and is 2-for-4 with four RBI in just two games in 2025. He should be considered a DFS sleeper against Mlodzinski, who he has faced only one time in his career.