Freese, Holliday get rest in season finale

ST. LOUIS -- Out of the lineup for a second straight day, David Freese reiterated that the weekend of rest is no indication that there is anything wrong with him physically.

Freese, who started 21 straight games before sitting on Saturday, has hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games. Over his last 21 games, he has 18 hits, three homers and 10 RBIs. If he doesn't pinch-hit on Sunday, he'll finish the season with a .262 average, nine homers and 60 RBIs.

"I feel good," Freese said. "This [time off] isn't anything to overanalyze. I'm just going to rest for a few days and be ready for Thursday. This last month, I feel like I've been hitting a lot better."

Asked how he would describe his up-and-down season, Freese said: "So close to being so much better."

Joining Freese on the bench on Sunday was left fielder Matt Holliday, who came out of Saturday's game in the third inning. The Cardinals had hoped to allow Holliday to finish the season with a .300 average, and were able to do so after he homered and walked in his two plate appearances on Saturday.

Holliday's average had not been at .300 all season, but it methodically climbed toward that mark as he went 19-for-37 in his last 10 games.

"We had a pretty good idea yesterday that when he came out of the game that would be it, especially how his last hit was a good one to keep in your memory for about four days," manager Mike Matheny said. "We're excited that he's on a good note, right now."

With Holliday and Freese resting, Matheny was able to give starts to Shane Robinson and Kolten Wong, both of whom could be on the team's bench during the postseason.