The Cardinals won eight of their first 13 games, with a striking trend developing. Starting pitchers were 8-1 and relievers 0-4, although those in the latter group were used more than they should have been because the starters had more trouble pitching deeper in the game in the second week of the season than they did the first week.
PLAYER NEWS: --RF Ryan Ludwick, one of the National League's top early-season hitters, was out of the starting lineup Wednesday. Rookie Colby Rasmus, who hadn't started since last Friday, got the nod in place of Ludwick and had a double and single in three at-bats. Ludwick's 21-game hitting streak had ended Tuesday.
"I'm sure our fans will have some fun with it," said manager Tony La Russa, referring to the furor resulting from the last time he omitted Ludwick. "But he's got the next four (games) this week."
Then La Russa joked, "You've got to pay the consequences. No hits, you don't play."
--RHP Joel Pineiro is 8-2 at the new Busch Stadium. He is 67-65 elsewhere. After averaging under six innings a start last year, Pineiro has pitched into the seventh and ninth innings in two of his three starts this year.
--C Yadier Molina, playing as well as manager Tony La Russa said he ever had seen him play, has hit safely in seven straight games at 11-for-26 (.423). Molina has had just two bases stolen against him, and opponents have tried only five times to steal on the Cardinals.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Chris Carpenter (torn left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15. He is likely out six to eight weeks.
3B Troy Glaus (right shoulder surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He didn't heal as quickly as was hoped, and he may not play before July.
LHP Jaime Garcia (Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He likely will miss all or nearly all of the 2009 season.
ROTATION:
RHP Adam Wainwright
RHP Kyle Lohse
RHP Todd Wellemeyer
RHP Joel Pineiro
RHP P.J. Walters
BULLPEN:
RHP Jason Motte (closer)
RHP Ryan Franklin
RHP Kyle McClellan
RHP Chris Perez
LHP Dennys Reyes
LHP Trever Miller
RHP Mitchell Boggs
RHP Blaine Boyer
CATCHERS:
Yadier Molina
Jason LaRue
INFIELDERS:
1B Albert Pujols
2B Skip Schumaker
SS Khalil Greene
3B Brian Barden
INF Brendan Ryan
INF Joe Thurston
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Chris Duncan
CF Rick Ankiel
RF Ryan Ludwick
OF Colby Rasmus
