ATLANTA -- Matt Carpenter did not have the kind of year he was hoping to have after an MVP-caliber 2018 season that led him to receiving a two-year contract extension. Even after a September surge, he finished the regular season with a career-low .726 OPS.

But Carpenter's approach to the second half of the season -- after Tommy Edman took over as St. Louis' starter at third base -- was not to dwell on the fact that he was used mostly as a bench player. Instead, he tried to find ways to contribute, even if it wasn’t in a starting role. The most significant recently was his go-ahead, 10th-inning home run on Sept. 19 against the Cubs, which gave the Cardinals their first win at Wrigley Field in 2019 and set up their four-game sweep.

“Obviously, it’s been a tough year for me,” Carpenter said. “But, collectively, we’ve come together as a group. That’s my sole focus. I’m trying to be as present-minded as I can, knowing what I can do each day to help us win. I’m not thinking about the past and how it’s played out. I show up to the ballpark ready to go, and I’ve been able to do that. It’s been a lot of fun, and we’re just getting started.”

With second baseman Kolten Wong (left hamstring strain) set to make his return to the lineup in Thursday’s National League Division Series opener against the Braves, Carpenter could be relegated back to a bench role for the postseason. He had been starting at third base with Wong sidelined while Edman played second base.

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“[Carpenter] being able to do those things, it’s not a real surprise to anyone,” manager Mike Shildt said. “Him being able to do it and stay engaged, accept the different roles he was in and asked to do, be the team-first guy, that’s the specialness.”

How can Carpenter contribute in October? There are a few ways.

As a strong left-handed bat

Carpenter had a strong September, slashing .267/.366/.500, which was by far his best month of the regular season. Part of the month was spent in a pinch-hitting role, while the last two weeks were spent back in the lineup. Carpenter thrived in his part-time role during the final month of the regular season. Before Wong's injury on Sept. 19, Carpenter had a .999 OPS over 27 at-bats in 15 games (six starts).

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When Carpenter came off the bench, it allowed Shildt to play to his strengths and match the veteran left-handed hitter against right-handed pitching (.737 OPS) rather than southpaws (.680 OPS) and hurlers who Carpenter had experience with.

His left-handed bat could come in handy in late innings against the Braves’ right-handed relievers or even in the starting lineup Friday, when the Cardinals will face Mike Foltynewicz in Game 2.

With his postseason experience

The 33-year-old has been in this spot before, and he has bounced back. Carpenter’s second-worst year of his career was 2014, when he slugged .375 with eight home runs and a .750 OPS over 158 games. In the NLDS that year, against the Dodgers, Carpenter hit .375 with three home runs and three doubles in 16 at-bats over four games.

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Carpenter has played in 39 career postseason games, including the 2013 World Series. That, in addition to his recent hot streak, means he could be a big contributor to the Cardinals in the postseason.

“He's gotten some really big hits when he's been in the lineup as a starter, and he's done a really good job of coming off the bench and taking really good at-bats in situations that we want a quality at-bat,” Shildt said. “He's done a nice job in both roles. And I'm excited about him being able to participate depending on whatever that role looks like.”