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