Rafael Furcal

One day after getting his first day off of the season, Rafael Furcal went 4-for-5 with a run scored in St. Louis’ win over the Diamondbacks.

Furcal is now 16-for-33 (.485) in the month of May, and hitting a cool .361/.423/.508 on the season. It’s safe to say he’s found a home atop the National League’s most dangerous lineup. The specter of injury always looms large for Furcal, but he’ll remain en elite fantasy option as long as he can remain on the field.

Rafael Furcal is not in the Cardinals’ starting lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Furcal has appeared in each of the Cardinals’ first 29 games, so the off-day is well-deserved. Daniel Descalso is starting at shortstop Tuesday night in Arizona.

Rafael Furcal went 3-for-5 with a homer and a steal Monday versus the Diamondbacks.

Furcal looked all washed up this spring, but here he is hitting .342 with 13 extra-base hits and six steals in six attempts through 29 regular-season games. With the possible exception of Jed Lowrie, no NL shortstop is playing better than Furcal.

Rafael Furcal continued to sting the ball in Sunday’s win over the Pirates, going 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, stolen base, walk and two runs scored.

After reportedly showing up out of shape and hitting .192 in spring training, Furcal is now batting .369/.423/.523 to go along with nine extra-base hits, eight RBI and three stolen bases. Most amazingly, the famously brittle shortstop has started each of St. Louis’ first 16 games. It’s nearly impossible to believe he’ll stay healthy, but as long as he’s in the lineup, there’s no reason he should be on your bench in any format.

Rafael Furcal stayed hot in Wednesday’s win over the Reds, going 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a run scored and two RBI.

The multi-hit night was Furcal’s second straight and fifth of the season, and provides him with a robust .353/.389/.510 triple slash through his first 12 games. So far at least, Furcal’s injury-marred .231/.298/.348 showing in 2011 appears to be a distant memory. As long as he’s healthy and anchoring the top of the Cardinals’ fearsome lineup, the veteran shortstop should be a well above-average fantasy option at shortstop.

Rafael Furcal kept up his torrid start in Sunday’s win over the Brewers, going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

Furcal is now 10 for his first 19 (.526), and not reaching via cheap singles, generally putting a charge into the ball. He has three doubles. It’s a surprise after a down 2011 and poor spring, but Furcal is rapidly turning into a mixed-league must own atop one of the league’s most dominant lineups.

Rafael Furcal was 3-for-5 with an RBI double in Friday’s win over the Brewers.

Furcal also stole a base, his second in as many games. The 34-year-old has been limited to just 184 games over the past two seasons, so he’s a pretty terrible bet to stay healthy, but he should be mixed league-relevant as long as he’s in the lineup.

Rafael Furcal went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Wednesday’s Opening Day win over the Marlins.

He also swiped a bag in the fifth inning. The 34-year-old shortstop is one of the Cardinals’ x-factors this season. If last year’s career-worst numbers were nothing more than an outlier, then he should give St. Louis a big boost at the top of the lineup.

Rafael Furcal went 0-for-3 as the Cardinals’ No. 6 hitter on Thursday.

Furcal was supposed to be the Cards’ leadoff man, but he’s looked bad enough that the team is already trying Tyler Greene there. Furcal might open the season hitting eighth, which is where he batted yesterday. He’s hitting .188 with no walks in 32 at-bats this spring.