Ho hum. Albert Pujols drove in multiple runs in Thursday’s game – again.
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has been under increasing scrutiny due to a May that is substandard for him – .267/.406/.384, one home run and 10 RBI in 24 games prior to Thursday’s action.
Then we have the unpleasant exchange in the dugout with his manager Tony La Russa last week, whispers of leg and back injuries that may be sapping his strength and the ongoing contract situation that is apparently off the table during the season.
Pujols may have answered the immediate questions when he clubbed a towering home run to the second deck in left field on a 3-2 pitch in the fifth inning in San Diego Thursday. He added two other RBI in St. Louis’ 8-3 series-ending win over the Padres.
Pujols’ three-RBI game was his MLB-best 309th multiple RBI game in the roughly 9 ¼ years since his MLB debut in 2001. During that time, Alex Rodriguez is next, ten behind Pujols.
Multi-RBI games, MLB, top 20, 2001 through 05/26/10
| Rk | Player | # | Rk | Player | # | |
| 1 | Albert Pujols | 308 | 11 | Aramis Ramirez | 230 | |
| 2 | Alex Rodriguez | 299 | 12 | Miguel Tejada | 227 | |
| 3 | Manny Ramirez | 276 | 13 | Magglio Ordonez | 225 | |
| 4 | David Ortiz | 255 | 14 | Pat Burrell | 222 | |
| 5 | Lance Berkman | 248 | 15 | Carlos Beltran | 219 | |
| 6 | Bobby Abreu | 241 | 16 | Paul Konerko | 213 | |
| 7 | Vladimir Guerrero | 240 | 17 | Chipper Jones | 210 | |
| 8 | Jim Thome | 237 | 18 | Jason Giambi | 206 | |
| 8 | Carlos Lee | 237 | 19 | Jorge Posada | 204 | |
| 10 | Carlos Delgado | 232 | 19 | Raul Ibanez | 204 |
Pujols also leads the world with 123 three-plus RBI games during this time.
Three-plus-RBI games, MLB, top 20, 2001 through 05/26/10
| Rk | Player | # | Rk | Player | # | |
| 1 | Albert Pujols | 122 | 10 | Raul Ibanez | 90 | |
| 2 | Alex Rodriguez | 112 | 10 | Miguel Cabrera | 90 | |
| 3 | Manny Ramirez | 110 | 13 | Carlos Beltran | 89 | |
| 4 | David Ortiz | 105 | 14 | Chipper Jones | 87 | |
| 5 | Mark Teixeira | 97 | 14 | Bobby Abreu | 87 | |
| 6 | Lance Berkman | 94 | 16 | Carlos Lee | 86 | |
| 7 | Vladimir Guerrero | 92 | 16 | Jason Giambi | 86 | |
| 8 | Jim Thome | 91 | 18 | Andruw Jones | 85 | |
| 8 | Carlos Delgado | 91 | 19 | Ryan Howard | 84 | |
| 10 | Miguel Tejada | 90 | 20 | Richie Sexson | 82 |
In the last 50-plus years, Pujols leads all Cardinals.
Three-plus-RBI games, Cardinals, top 20, 1960 through 05/26/10
|
Rk
|
Player | # |
Rk
|
Player | # | |
| 1 | Albert Pujols | 122 | 11 | Keith Hernandez | 43 | |
| 2 | Ray Lankford | 75 | 12 | Joe Torre | 42 | |
| 3 | Ted Simmons | 74 | 13 | Edgar Renteria | 33 | |
| 4 | Jim Edmonds | 73 | 14 | Brian Jordan | 31 | |
| 5 | Mark McGwire | 55 | 15 | Todd Zeile | 30 | |
| 6 | Ken Boyer | 52 | 16 | Curt Flood | 30 | |
| 7 | Bill White | 50 | 17 | Lou Brock | 29 | |
| 8 | Scott Rolen | 50 | 18 | Mike Shannon | 28 | |
| 9 | George Hendrick | 49 | 19 | Ken Reitz | 28 | |
| 10 | Willie McGee | 43 | 20 | Ryan Ludwick | 27 |
Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for the data tables above.
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In a week of crazy emails, this one that just came in tops them all…
I guess its like getting into the HOF, huh Brian? You guys could exchange recipes and stuff like that.
I guess so. For $85 or whatever it is, anyone can become a member of the Hall of Fame…
You did confirm that Brian, didn’t you?……………………… I look for Lohse to pitch in August. Very difficult to track all the puppeteer-ing going on. This is just a guess. Cards were talking to someone that wanted to be sure they could be involved in the playoffs…… that seems unlikely to me, but I fail to see any competitive angles on rotation setups and the like.
I don’t think you will see Lynn until after that wonderful deadline in June……..if at all.
“”Neither Shin nor the Cardinals has mentioned a recovery time. Athletes in other sports typically require six to eight weeks to return to activity, but the dynamics of pitching render such a timetable largely irrelevant.”"
“It’s premature to weigh in on (his return),” Mozeliak said. “We’re learning so much about the injury. We’re going to have to be a little patient and resourceful about how we deal with this.”
These are the key statements. Since the forearm isn’t a huge part of pitching, except for the articulation of grip and finger pressure, which is crucial I must say at the ML level, the improved circulation and flexibility should be much improved. I look for him to be ready in 6 weeks…………. the question will really have to do with how the team is playing, and or whether they are receiving compensation for the loss of service.
I disagree about the forearm’s role in pitching, Westy. All the muscles controlling the wrist are there. It would be critical. I predict a long recovery and think its 50-50 whether he’ll ever be an effective starter again. Nobody knows with this.
Wednesday’s game was such a wreched performance, maybe that was the bottom. Looked like a different team yesterday.
It seems apt to give Westie a salute on Lohse’s muscle compression diagnosis. It really undermines his non-credibility (and is confusing for others) when Westie sometimes knows exactly what he is talking about.
No matter how much the forearm is used in pitching the surgery affects the nerves which will affect the griping of the ball.
Lynn? If we see Lynn before Sept this team is in a world of trouble.
Oh, and I have no problems giving Westie props for his diagnosis. It was an excellent call. Of course it didnt involve ascertaitions of other people’s thoughts, emotions or inner deamons either.
That should be assertions not ascertaitions above. The problem is Westie’s asserts as if he has ascertained which we (including him I’m sure) no not to be the case.
What with all of the nice things that you write about him, Boras must figure that you two are already pals….
Its all a mystery BB. I”m predicting a miracle then…………
Cubs are likely to see 2 innings of our pen at least. They are developing momentum. I don’t like it.
I feel that Luddy just closed off the momentum drain. Mott comes in breathing fire….a mans man.
I hope Salas survives this. He was over praying for grace. Hope he brought it with him.
I think it should be underscored that the error by Lopez is a result of him guarding his arm. Not laziness. He probably shouldn’t be over there for a few more months.
Tony threw Salas into the fire to test his nerves. Dave has to like his attention to location. As they make tonight’s decision, that must be factored I would think, especially with the K-mac breakdown.
not very hot fire when you’re up by 6.
Mo attended Wednesday and Thursday Springfield Cardinal games. That seems out of the ordinary but don’t know for sure.
Any word out there on how Lohse surgery went?
The visit to Springfield was reported to have been to see Miles play and also talk with him personally about his plans (regarding the out clause) and what the Card’s plans for him were as well.
Not that long ago we were all making fun of the Cubs for unloading Milton Bradley . . . . . and getting the short end of the deal. Incredible. Now we face Silva who is 6-0, proving that miracles do happen to pitchers. So Westy cannot be faulted in predicting one for Lohse.
By this time tomorrow Silva will be 6-1 and Cards new guy 1-0.
Your right on that BB…………….we will crush Silva…………do you know why? Because we suck worse than him………………… We won’t mean to. We will be just trying pop up his sinker…….but it will sink right into our bats………both Colby and Holiday will go deep tomorrow……maybe Ludwick. Pujols is a mess so I can’t see him hitting anything but lightning bolt line drives.
Don’t mind that man behind the curtain………go away toto…………..
Otto has great stuff but he is liable to not make it out of inning 2 either. I predict walks to be his downfall today.
WOW!! How funny is it that both the Cards and Phillies are struggling to score runs? Crazy stuff..
Its starts with the Core RC. People are taking down Howard…….Utley gets fewer pitches etc;
Same as here. I don’t know Otto…….Could be a slug-fest then huh? …. first dog to bite probably enjoys the -itch……..
Colby’s cage session will cure him.
Ottavino improved at Memphis toward the end of 2009, won games in the playoffs. This year, he has much improved his K/BB ratio. He has 185 innings under his belt at Memphis.
While its too bad Penny and Lohse are out, Ottavino may be able to hold his own.
Otto making it look easy.
Silva may be tough on the cards as he pitches backwards and I believe they don’t like that too much.
Man Otto has great stuff. And what a great job of pumping strikes.
He throwing by the books isn’t he RC. Carlos has good motion, changing speeds. Albert jogs to first. He is going to be claiming injury before too long.
Silvia is taking time to set up pitches……..just like the good old days. Everyone of these guys goes to the plate with an agenda…….which is obvious. If you just hit what he’s throwing, he will explode. Colby doesn’t see anything for his scrapbook I guess, so he just goes back to the bench,
Bottom of the 4th and Otto is starting to realize a mistake will cost him. That’s the worst thing for a kid to deal with.
My daughter can make a better throw than that.
That’s terrible defense….. Octto has done a good job, but began to pressure himself. As was suggested earlier.
I didn’t think he was going to throw it the way he approached. And then the poor release causing the tail at the end.
I’ll say this for the record. If Colby doesn’t attend a serious clinic soon, he is giving away million of dollars. If he is seeking a career as a left field………he has some serious competition. I would think about this very seriously. Next year the Cardinal’s are going to make a decision with Ludwick. The league is taking stock of this situation competitively. If you look around the league, there isn’t going to be much sympathy if he is traded.
WC, Don’t start the trade talk
The Braves made a pretty serious offer, if it was legit, that could solve the Cards CF and SS issues.
Hey at least the throw didn’t bounce 5 times before it got to Albert and it was irrelevant as the two hits after it would have scored the run anyway.
I’m stumped about it Westy. A sophomore slump season wouldn’t really worry me, but I don’t understand the crappy play in the field. Like you said, he didn’t come at it like he was planning on gunning the guy out. Like he never even thought about it until he had the ball. Then throws it like a pansy. Hasn’t played an impressive CF so far this year. Snap out of it boy, it isn’t like Tony’s making you dig ditches for a living.
And quit striking out all the damn time.
He needs to be sitting over there with Brendan if I do say so myself.
Hey, look on the bright side, Matt H has two hits.
RC, you talking about that trade rumor from the groundskeepers that no one else has apparently heard?
Yes Brian, thats the one
And its the Groundskeeper, ers
Brendan was doing some serious squatting right there. Take me a blooper all day long..
Okay guys……..this is my read………. Colby had Soriano at second……he is notoriously lazy even though it appeared he was on the move…………..Colby did not want to make that throw. He killed his own momentum on the pick……..and once again….took a damn look!!!!!! When he saw the play he had to throw it. His weight was back.no transfer, no push……..he over throws and the ball tails, no large muscles at work….to much wrist. To high………. Considering the pace on the hit and his location……… the runner is held at third against half of the CF in the league……….. Everyone is going to run on him now…………. as I have said in recent weeks. This situation will deteriorate as the entire league challenges him ever time………….
He has to use his speed. He is lazy on fly balls….. and is now trying to duck challenges. No matter what his real abilities are…………….he either starts shooting, or he is in trouble………. RC, that is about salary bails coming form Atlanta……….. I think the kid can be a great player. He is not at this point…………. Hot / Cold at the plate……… that won’t undo him……… questions about his defense means that where ever he lands…he is going to be challenged……that’s not good for business.
I’m watching this game go to hell and thinking about Wainwright cringing in the dugout. Shumaker sits tomorrow and likely Colby.
Carlos Silva was better than expected………. and we of course met him halfway to suck-titude.
WC we are on the same page with regards to who plays. Luddy in CF, or even Jay. Stav in right. Let Brendan and Colby catch some rays in the dugout.
I agree they need a little time to reflect. ……………. I’m not trying to be hard on him. Outfielders do their evaluating before the pitch. They position their tools…….and then use them. That’s for kids. No matter what, the play is the throw and the cut. There is no evaluation. His desire to evaluate is the problem here………. the privilege he is taking in doing so is in a currency that he is fast running out of. That is especially true at the plate right now. If what he is doing is a plan………..I’d avoid the little bighorn.
Its like I’ve stated before, I believe he is not as good as advertised. He is still at the stage where he needs constant hands on help as far as his hitting goes. I feel like he very well could become a solid player in the years to come or he may not, only time will tell.
But he is getting worse and worse every day in every aspect of his game. Why? I have no idea. I have no doubt he will start hitting in the not too distant future but something is amiss in his play today that is a fact.
But these things are true; : Skip leads all 2nd basemen is errors this year and hasn’t hit worth a crap, Brendan has been terrible in every aspect of his game, Albert has……well….not been Albert and is flirting with his average dropping into the .200′s. Matt Holliday has been less than was expected. The team has struck out like crazy this year.
So why has all of these things happened this year to all of these players? Why has Skip got worse on defense? Why has Brendan got worse on Defense, Colby gotten worse? Albert gotten worse on defense? Who’s responsible for the total collapse of half of the team defensively? Why the strikeouts this year as opposed to last year? Is it just part of the game or something else? I don’t know the answer but something is going on with this team and it ain’t good.
Was Colby on the 40 man at all in 2008?
RC, some of these fans are perfectionist. Colby is doing fine, overall, both this year and last. He is well on his way.
As to others, Skip is a new 2nd baseman. Errors are going to happen.
Brendan has had difficulties. They may owe to his wrist operation.
Fans dumped on Lohse last year and again this year. But it turns out he was a tough guy, trying to play through an injury. He was not an overpaid bum, as some fans thought. Fans can be ignorant jerks. Boras got him a proper diagnosis.
Pujols probably has injuries that are slowing him down. Holliday was cold April/May last year, its the same thing this year. He should heat up.
Its going to be a tough slog, but the team could heat up. Its good that Walters and Ottavino are getting an introduction to the majors.
Congrats to Roy Halliday on his perfecto, 20th in MLB history. I’ll have a cold frosty one right now in his honor.
Angels Kendry Morales hits a walk off salami and gets his leg broke in the celebratory pile up. I’ll have to hoist another one for that.
bb, to answer #51, no. Rasmus came to spring camp 2009 as an NRI.
Well then, we have a course of action available in regards to Colby, which I will not mention, since I’m not one to over-react. Besides, my ideas are never to be taken seriously.
Rasmus’ OPS is .900, second best on the team to Albert’s .937…
And Holliday is hitting .290. Fat lot of good either one is doing us.
Colby has lots of talent, but he’s playing like he’s just hanging around waiting for something to happen. So, make something happen. Put his career on the line. Play MLB like you mean it in STL, or don’t play it at all. Give the boy a little tough love.
The season is long, 162 games. Players need to pace themselves to survive the long season. And they are well served to pay no attention to fans. A hit tomorrow wil turn boos to cheers.
Bling wrote, “Colby has lots of talent, but he’s playing like he’s just hanging around waiting for something to happen. So, make something happen. Put his career on the line. Play MLB like you mean it in STL, or don’t play it at all. Give the boy a little tough love.”
I like it Bling, Shake em up and ship em out. Colby, Brendan, and Skip.
Depreciation is a fascinating concept in this scenario RC. In many ways it seems like a very abstract concept when applied across such a wide range of variables…………..But it really isn’t.
Take the inverse ratio of Jumbo’s gestation of fan malarkey as it is purified through his pro-organization digestive tract, and you’ve got quite a mess to clean up when it hits these pages.
No one disagrees with your optimistic cheer leading Jumbo. I’m sure we would all sleep better at night if we said our prayers as thoughtfully as you do.
These problems are how starters wear down……….. we have Wainwright coming off a 1 run beating, and he is looking at this mess.
Back to the “It really isn’t”…………… The influence that AP’s exerts on this team is “considerable” to say the least………… it has nothing to do with numbers. His personal vibe, as he struggles against his demons, is disrupting the whole fabric of team related valuations, from coaching efficiency, to the shared sense of team related connections. Oquendo is having quite a time trying to esteem himself as the third base coach I would guess, let alone sharing the struggles his middle infielders are having…………….. MM, left without all the early season distractions, appears to be a little emotional. Maybe a tad ineffective in the style that he uses to effect (reflect)changes in the awareness of his hitters. (Example)
Albert was seen in side view today. I would speculate that he had the widest stance ever taken by a ML baseball player. He is normally very wide, but he was a good 3 or 4 inches wider than normal……………… Wider than is comfortable is would say…………………. Someone is trying to effect his premature hip turn by rendering it impossible or extraordinarily difficult to do.
To me, someone has gained enough of his trust to approach him in his desperation but at the same time, certain aspects of his swing are off limits by his designation. They are improvising wildly to try things this, but do to his restrictions, destined to fail. I don’t believe that AP is doing that consciously necessarily, but in truth, the boundaries of his self esteem mechanisms are disrupting the normal function of everyone attempting to fulfill their own job responsibilities. That’s MM………….. I believe that his personal dialog with Skip and Brendan is based on goals that might be more career related than team related. Brendan’s desire to take defensive risks for self aggrandizing ambitions are formidable………….but pale next to AP’s l exportation of his own personal myth…………………. I fear it has drowned MH….who of course is paid to be his protection…….instead of helping win games.
Statement of fact………..AP value is plummeting……….not because of his numbers……..but because it is becoming apparent that he does not adapt well, adjust easily, except coaching in an effective manner. Of the few teams that could pay him………which do you think would tolerate these conditions? Boston..NY… Philadelphia…. no way……..Torre maybe, but the Dodgers aren’t spending right now……………….. When teams beat you by throwing “your stupid” pitches………..not many of them are thinking to highly of you I would venture.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/A53441C23479AC4786257732000BF0E0?OpenDocument
I said in the last few days that an Albert injury rumor would surface…………… Its a business after all.
First, I am warmed and encouraged by Jumbo’s reassuring analysis (entries 52 and 60). Then, I am shaken to the core with WCBW’s uncompromising views of reality (entries 62 and 63)! While my heart wants to fully embrace everything said by Jumbo, I cannot argue with WCBW! The Cardinal Nation Blog is rife with the very best of thinking, from blingboy and RC Warrior to Nutlaw and CariocaCardinal! Hell, I am persuaded that Brian Walton’s brainchild is the only place where honest inquiry is richly rewarded with the entire spectrum of keen and thoughtful observation.
CardFan57: I was not exactly reassuring, rather was explaining.
Some other posters around here are not strong on practicality. This team is going to stick with Rasmus in CF, end of story. His OPS is around 880, excellent for CF. So what if he makes an error? There would not be anyone in the majors, if everyone had to be error free.
We are also going to stick by Schumaker, at least against RHPs. He has improved at the plate. He is a mature, hardworking guy. We expect him to fight through his slump. For IF depth in the minors, we have Greene and Miles, who are both hitting well. Both will likely return this summer.
The Cards cannot replace all 25 guys, when fans get mad when we lose one game to the Cubs.
Mo can tweak the roster. Mather got sent down to Memphis. That was a good move, for him and the team. We could replace Jay as a left swinging reserve with Miles, because Skip could backup CF. In a few weeks, Penny will return. Wainwright will do a good job today.
JumboShrimp: Your “explaining” is most CERTAINLY “reassuring”, as you present a scenario of stability; with difficulties which are merely temporary. On the other hand, WCBW presents an overall situation which is ominous and problematic. I was as pleased as everyone else with the debut of Adam Ottavino (were it not for a reliever’s allowance of a run, Adam’s performance would have been classified as a “quality start”). Ludwick will continue to be streaky, Freese will continue to be steady and Molina will continue to be the best Catcher in all of major league baseball. While I have no problem with either Colby’s growing pains or the slumps of Schumaker and Ryan, my distressful feelings emanate from the sub-par performance of our two big boppers; Albert and Matt. What WCBW says about them cannot be argued with and is not reassuring in the least! Our Murderer’s Row is a travesty, not because of either Ludwick or Rasmus, but solely because of both Pujols and Holliday. Yes, I also believe that Wainwright will have another solid outing today, but he has proven that his very best performance cannot compensate for the team’s conspicuous lack of support. He’s been constantly screwed and deserves much better this afternoon!
CF57: I don’t read Westie’s lunatic ravings about Pujols. Albert must have some physical problems. If they get better, he will hit better. If they do not, then he will not hit better. Matt Holliday will improve. He is in his 7th ML season and can slog through.
TLR needs a better bench. It will not be long before Mitey Aaron swaggers back into town!
When I checked out the P-D sports page this morning I thought I must have woke up in another universe, one where Cardinals reality is openly discussed by main stream local baseball writers.
The Strauss article about Albert:
“a number of scouts who regularly follow the team are reporting that he is obviously handicapped, particularly in his lower half.”
” …a swing that has grown longer as Pujols has opened his stance” (Westy-like lunatic raving, right Jumbo?)
“Scrutiny of Pujols’ hitting mechanics is an organizational taboo ” (TCNB didn’t get the memo)
And the Hummell article about Holliday:
“the relative disdain with which Holliday is being treated has been almost astonishing” (What’s so astonishing about pitching to a guy hitting .150 with RISP?)
“Since the end of last regular season, though, Holliday is one for 11 — a two-run single — after an intentional pass to Pujols. ” (.090 . . . . $120M don’t buy what it used to)
Tony is still in full frontal denial so the madness will continue, and I’m not predicting that this is the beginning of the end, but perhaps it is the end of the beginning.
Strauss is not raving incoherently about contracts. Instead, Strauss is analytic and as a professional writer, no surprise, he can make sense. Strauss reports Pujols has a heel or other leg injury. These are influencing Albert’s performance.
Some fans here thought Lohse was a bum. But it turns out, Lohse was genuinely injured and needed an operation. Health matters.
CFS57: The Cards may seek a veteran starting pitcher or give the next start to McLane. Ottavino has a fine arm, but should continue training at Memphis. He is on the cusp of becoming a fine pitcher, but could use more AAA experience. McLane gives up few walks. TLR would rather have them hit their way on than give up 6 walks, as Ottavino did. The Tigers have DFA’d LHP Dontrelle Willis. I could see Mo as a bidder, if the Tigers pick up much of his salary. Or the Cards could consider re-signing Braden Looper. Or Mo could look elsewhere.
Jumbo: I agree that both the organization and Ottovino would profit with him spending the majority of the season in the Memphis rotation. Now that he experienced his debut, he can work on all the positive criticism and return in September even more formidable. With regard to the fifth starter, I believe that Looper is mediocre on his best days. If Duncan can work with Willis, that would be a splendid possibility, but the acquisition of Oswalt would be better. Not only does Oswalt love the Cardinals, but he is also quite willing to modify his otherwise prohibitively expensive contract. If nothing else shakes out, in my judgment, the prospect of either McLane or Walters is not exactly dismal. With regard to WCBW, I can’t help but think that his mysteriously accurate (prophetic?) assessment of Lohse gives tremendous weight and credibility to what he maintains about Albert and other matters.
“The needs of the “religious” to adapt and fabricate dogma that explains the events necessary to fulfill their personal ” requirements” for spiritual and emotional sanctuary, is one of the primary forces that help shape “behaviors” within said sanctuary”. (WC)
Jumbo, I would like to visit your church…………and watch a ballgame. We will cheer and laugh and cry trying to keep up with the high-jinks of our favorite athletes. That would be good…………….. And yet there is more to ponder if we choose. The Cardinals (your father) do not need a defender. They are a part of the fabric of creation…………….. seen and defined and quantified and objectified by all that show cause to witness them. We all have different “needs”………………. I am not about trashing any player. I would help them if I could. I do what I can……….. and I bare witness.
Joe Strauss is a courier for the organization…….willingly……sometimes naively. The reason I predicted AP would start manifesting “injuries” officially, is because I knew that Cardinals would make an attempt at managing the “market” as it benefits them concerning AP. If he stays or goes……..no one wants damaged goods. Same goes for all of the managing in the Lohse story.
If the conditions are right, they will try to move him before the deadline……… same could be said of Albert. Structural logic can be predictive. Observation of the “conditions” is relative to our perspective. Ours perspectives are different I would postulate by the nature of the descriptive realities we are trying to describe here. Be happy.
CFs57: Oswalt may want to come to St Lou, but there is very little chance the Astros will pay him to pitch for us. He is too costly.
Its not mysterious when a pitcher is hit on his throwing arm and a problem persists, then maybe the impact did some kind of damage. Westie offered a reasonable diagnosis about a physical matter.
When it comes to reading their minds, however, Westie can sometimes be clueless. He is an odd Cards fan who has repeatedly expressed an interest in trading Pujols. He thinks the Cards will trade Lohse; they will not. He thought Ludwick would be released. Westie swings for the fences to try to please the crowd, but sometimes Fate is unkind and he whiffs.