The Cardinals look to split the series with the Rockies tonight in Denver. The Cardinals come in 21-29, 10-16 on the road, while the Rockies are 25-28, 12-14 at home.

The pitching matchup has Brad Thompson(3-1, 4.72) facing Aaron Cook(4-1, 4.11).

Albert has never faced Aaron Cook in his career. Time for a great start tonight!

Let’s go Redbirds!

Being only 6.5 games out of first, the Cardinals can still win the division. It is going to take getting hot in June, and staying that well, or atleast “warm” through July, August, and then again in September. Only 50 games played, that means 110 to go!

We will break down the June schedule, and our expectations here:

The first part of June, takes the Cardinals to Houston to play at Minute Maid Park. We know the Astros are struggling, losers of 10 straight, but that is not good. They will get hot at the right time, and unfortunately hopefully not against the Cardinals. The Astros do get to see the Reds tonight(May 31), so let’s hope they get a win. Game one of the series pits Adam Wainwright up against Roy Oswalt. Unfortunately, the Cardinals don’t hit Oswalt well- advantage Astros. Game two has Kip Wells against Sampson.. Wells is due for another win. My goodness, he is 2-9!! Cardinals win game two! The rubber match on Sunday will pit Braden Looper against Jason Jennings who is coming off the D.L. Wasnt this Easter Sunday matchup? Cardinals rough Jennings up, and win 2 of 3 from the ‘Stros! Next the Cardinals come home and face the Reds and Angels for 3 each. We expect 2 of 3 from the Reds, and atleast one, hopefully two from Angels, so let’s hope for a 4-2 homestand, putting us at 6-3 in June. After that, the Cardinals head west to face the Royals for three, and then to Oakland to see the Athletics. The Cardinals are better than the Royals, right? SWEEP time .. A’s will be tough, let’s get one.. 4-2 road trip, 10-5 in June. Next, The Royals come TO town, followed by the Phillies, 4-2 homestand, puts us at 14-7 for June. Lastly, the Cardinals finish June going to the Mets for four, and then at Cincy for two against the Reds. Payback time for the Mets, who swept us to start the season, let’s hope for 3-3 in those six, putting us at 17-10 for June, and right at .500 going into July! Wishful thinking? You tell us.

The first place Brewers get to host the Marlins, and Cubs, before going to Texas, Detroit, and Minnesota(tough stretch), then they come back home to face the Giants, Royals, and Astros, before heading out to see the Cubs in Chicago.. Let’s hope for a 10-16 month for the Brew Crew, and a first place tie with the ‘Birds going into July!!!

Well, we here at www.albertpujolsclub.com appologize for going the last month without any updates. We had some issues come up, and got extremely busy, therefore the site is where it is at right now. We appologize for that, and hope you will continue visiting www.albertpujolsclub.com . From here on out the remainder of the season, the site should be updated pretty regularly. We are still working with the goal in my to meet Albert Pujols. Of course, we need your help, to get some kind of event organized, we need more members onto our site. We have a good nucleous of members that have joined www.albertpujolsclub.com, but for us to approach Albert, we definitely need more members. We feel we can work together with the owners of Pujols 5 grill to make something work. By the way, a big thanks to the owners of Pujols 5, for the great tour you gave us back in April! We greatly appreciate it!

Now, the 2007 St. Louis Cardinals. As we stand right now, the Cardinals sit in fourth place in the National League Central with a 21-29 record. Through 50 games, we are only 6.5 games out of first place. The Brewers are 29-24, but 3-7 in their last 10 games. They have the 6th best record in the N.L. The Pirates stand in second place, 5.5 games out of first, with a record of 23-29, to us, they are not a threat to win the N.L. Central. The Cubs are in third, as of right now, with a 22-29 record, and we all know what the Cubs are known for. No way they will finish near the top of the division. Why you may ask? Because they simply are the Chicago Cubs. Next, is the Cardinals. Fifth place is the Houston Astros. The Astros have lost 10 in a row. They are 21-31, after hitting .500 a week and a half ago. What is wrong with the Astros? We will find out this weekend. Coming in last with a 21-33 record in the Cincinnati Reds, who only sit 8.5 games out of first place.

So, the Central is for taking. Very much so. But, the Cardinals have their problems. Chris Carpenter is out until near August. Mark Mulder is out for quite awhile, and hasnt pitched in 2007. Yadier Molina is now out until late July. Preston Wilson is still hurt. David Eckstein has been hobbling, Chris Duncan has a bad knee, Scott Spezio isn’t feeling well. The Cardinals are not healthy. The Cardinals can win the Central Division despite their injuries, but they are going to need help from the big guys.

Who are the big guys? Well by now we should know. It starts with Albert Pujols, and continues with Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds. These guys need to pick it up, and pick it up fast. Lets first start with our guy, Jose Alberto Pujols..

Everyone is freaking out because Albert has “struggled” in 2007. Has he? Coming into tonight’s game with the Rockies, Albert is batting .296, which leads the team. Albert has hit 9 homeruns, which leads the team. Albert has drove in 28 runs, which leads the team. Sure, Albert is not at the top of the N.L. in these categories, but is he THAT far off? Let’s take a look:
Albert’s .296 batting average is .56 off the leader, Derrick Lee’s .352, while it looks like alot, within the next 4 months, there is plenty of time for D.Lee to come down, and A.P. to come back up. Albert sits at 21st in batting. Albert’s 9 homeruns is low for him, but as the weather gets warmer, Albert will too. Expect a 8 homer month in June for Albert, 7 in July, and 9 in August, to put him at 33 going into September. Another 7+, and 40 homeruns will be in store for Albert. Albert sits in 15th in the N.L. in homeruns. What I want to see more from Albert is RBI’s, but to do that, someone has to get on base in front of him. Albert’s 28 rbi’s places him well below Carlos Lee’s 46, but again, Albert will heat up. Look for 22 rbi’s from Albert in the month of June, with 18 in July, 21 in August to put him at 89 going into September. Another 20, puts Albert right at 110 for the season. Not bad, considering how bad the Cardinals have been at getting on base.

Now, for Rolen and Edmonds. Bottom line, these two have to pick it up. Especially if Eckstein and Duncan are going to be out for an extended period of time. Scotty and Jimmy HAVE to hit, and drive guys in. Albert cannot do it all. Scott Rolen has brought his average up to .252, but his power numbers are down. Two months in and only 3 homeruns and 22 rbi’s, while Edmonds is hitting .245 with 5 bombs and 18 rbi’s. Come on boys, you got to pick it up.

The pitching really hasnt been awful. Anthony Reyes is now in Memphis, and Kip Wells has been horrible. But for the most part Looper, Wainwright, and Thompson have been respectable, and our bullpen is one of the best in the National League.

Now that June is here, lets hope the Cardinals bats start coming around and more ball games are won. In our next article we will discuss the June schedule, and our expectations!

- APCman