Wong, who missed the last week of the regular season with a hamstring strain, will return to the starting lineup Thursday for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against Atlanta. After watching the infielder take batting practice against teammate John Gant, run the bases, and join in the team’s fielding drills Wednesday at SunTrust Park, manager Mike Shildt confirmed that Wong would start at second base.
Wong’s ascension from the lower third of the lineup to batting second corresponded with the Cardinals’ surge toward the NL Central title. Wong’s .342 average after the All-Star break was the fourth-highest in baseball, and only four players in the National League had a better second-half on-base percentage than Wong’s .