Albert has never faced Blanton in his career.

• 97 games
• 342 at bats
• 121 hits
• .354 average
• 65 runs
• 26 doubles
• 0 triples
• 21 homeruns
• 67 rbi’s
• 70 walks
• 35 strikeouts
• 5 stolen bases

Maddux has struggled in 2008, going 3-8, with a 3.90 era. But he gets zero run support, which is part of his 3-8 record. Maddux, earlier in the year pitched against the Cardinals and got a no decision pitching 5 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs. He is 26-20 with a 2.74 era in his career against the Cardinals. Maddux is 0-4 with 6 no decisions in his last start, and has not won a game in his last 12.

Our boy Albert Pujols is 12-38 for a .316 average lifetime against Maddux. In those 12 hits, he has 3 homeruns, and 6 rbi’s.

Looper, for the Cardinals is looking for his 10th win of the season. He is 9-7 on the year with a 4.25 era. Braden has lost his last two starts, and has not won since June 24th at Detroit. Earlier in the year Looper beat the Padres pitching five solid innings. He is 4-3 with a 2.91 era lifetime against San Diego.

Let’s go Albert and the Cardinals tonight! Keep winning!

Our boy Albert Pujols went 1-4 to lower his season average to .348.

The same two teams will square off again this evening.

Jake Peavy will pitch for the Padres. He is 7-5 with a 2.47. He is 3-2 with a 2.89 era in his career against the Cardinals.

Kyle Lohse throws for the Cardinals, and he is 11-2 with a 3.39 era. Lohse is 0-2 with a 7.04 era in 3 career starts against San Diego.

Albert Pujols has faced Peavy 17 times in his career. Albert is 6-17 for a .353 batting average. In those six hits 1 was a double, and 2 were homeruns, with 6rbi’s. Pujols has struck out six times, while walking three times against Peavy.

Good luck to Albert and the Cardinals tonight!

Albert has never faced Cliff Lee in his career…

NL

1. Ramirez, SS- Florida
2. Utley, 2B- Philadelphia
3. Berkman, 1B- Houston
4. Pujols, DH- St. Louis
5. Jones, 3B- Atlanta
6. Holliday- RF- Colorado
7. Braun- LF- Milwaukee
8. Fukudome- CF- Chicago
9. Soto- C- Chicago

AL:

1. Ichiro- RF- Seattle
2. Jeter- SS- New York
3. Hamilton- CF- Texas
4. Rodriguez- 3B- New York
5. Ramirez- LF
6. Bradley- DH- Texas
7. Youkilis- 1B- Boston
8. Mauer- C- Minnesota
9. Pedroira- 2B- Boston

For the NL, Ben Sheets will be on the mound. For the AL, Cliff Lee will make the first pitch.

It was undoubtedly a challenge to rebound so quickly from Saturday night’s disastrous loss, the worst of the season. Sunday, the Cardinals didn’t always play well. They had to overcome turmoil. But they battled through and prevailed 11-6 despite blowing two leads.

The Cardinals salvaged a 3-3 record on the Pennsylvania trip. They made sure that they’d go into the break with a 53-43 record, or 10 games over .500. They gained ground on the first-place Cubs, and trail by 4 1/2 games. They warded off Milwaukee in the wild-card standings and lead the Brewers by a half-game.

Manager Tony La Russa has said often this season, probably because it’s so true: He doesn’t know if his team will be good enough to make it to the postseason, but he’s convinced that it’s tough enough.

This team has problems.

The bullpen has frequently imploded. The relievers have been shredded for the most blown saves (22) in the majors and have the second-highest loss total (20).

Because of injury issues — and more on that later — nine pitchers have started games.

Partly because of shortages, rookie Cardinals pitchers have been called upon to make 91 appearances, and start seven games.

The St. Louis offense is streaky. Its on-base percentage has suffered a 21-point drop since May 20, going from .371 to .350. The slugging percentage is rising, and that’s good, except for the increasing dependence on homers to supply runs.

It is an offense that scores 5.2 runs a game on the road but only 4.1 a game at Busch Stadium, which wasn’t much of a firewall in the late stages of the first half. The Cardinals have lost seven of their last 10 at Busch and must reverse that trend.
The Cardinals are 31-31 since May 7, and their competitors have taken advantage. The Cubs are 15 games over .500 since May 9, and the Brewers are 13 games over .500 since May 20.

And unlike the Cardinals, the Cubs (Rich Harden) and Brewers (CC Sabathia) have reinforced their rosters.

Now, let’s rewind, back to March.

How many among us would have honestly predicted that the Cardinals would be 10 games over .500 at the break and possess the NL’s second-best record?

Or that the Cardinals could make these advances despite having to put 17 players on the disabled list, including team MVP Albert Pujols, No. 1 starter Adam Wainwright and all-time franchise saves leader Jason Isringhausen?

The rehabbing former Cy Young award winner, Chris Carpenter, hasn’t thrown a pitch. Offseason signee Matt Clement (shoulder) hasn’t surfaced because of decreased velocity. Mark Mulder sadly unraveled again.

And yet the Cardinals have defied the adversity and the forecasts to grind their way into postseason contention. And this was supposed to be a season of rebuilding, retooling, revamping, etc.

Why?

Several reasons, in no particular order:

1. Pitching coach Dave Duncan’s rotation has surprisingly held up for a 40-23 record and a 4.13 ERA. Year after year, Duncan squeezes terrific results from makeshift rotations.

2. Kyle Lohse, who hasn’t lost since May 8, is 11-2 with a 3.39 ERA.

3. Breakout power seasons from Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel, who have combined for 41 homers and 115 RBIs. Last season Cardinals outfielders produced 68 homers in 162 games. This year, through 96 games, the outfielders already have launched 53 homers.

4. Third baseman Troy Glaus has 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 94 games played. Last season the Cardinals received only 12 homers and 77 RBIs from seven players who manned the third-base position over 162 games.

5. Dramatically improved defense.

Don’t forget Aaron Miles, batting .317. Or Skip Schumaker, who has done a fine job as a leadoff man and is hitting .339 against righthanded pitching. Or catcher Yadier Molina’s impressive development as a hitter; he’s batting .339 since April 23.

Of course, La Russa is the fixed axis. All things Cardinal revolve around him. He gives this team its toughness, its personality.

At the break, the Cardinals should exhale and take a bow.

And then it’s back to work.

Keeping this up over the final 66 games will be a tremendous challenge.

Kyle Lohse will pitch tonight for the Cardinals. A few months ago the Mets could have signed Lohse for the same deal the Cardinals got him at in March, but Mets GM Omar M. turned down the deal, sighting he felt that was too much for Lohse. Lohse would love to stick it to him and the Mets, like he has the rest of the NL so far this season. Kyle is 9-2 with a 3.94 era so far this season. Lohse has not lost a game since May 8th, where he pitched 4 innings in Colorado. He took a no decision his last time out against Detroit, but before that won his last 6 starts.

John Maine is on the mound for the Mets. Maine has been solid once again with a 8-5 record, and a 3.73 era. Maine has won his last two starts going 6+ innings in each. In his last ten starts, Maine is 5-3. He has pitched well against the Cardinals in his career, making two starts and going 1-0.

The Man, El Hombre, Albert Pujols is 2-6, with 2 homeruns, and 7 rbis in his career off John Maine.

We look for more mash city tonight in St. Louis. The Cardinals are hot, and are ready to have a huge home stand. Go El Hombre! Go Cardinals!