Pregame Preview

With the news that Derrek Lee is out for 8-10 weeks, the Cardinals have the edge this weekend as they should, unless Jeff Suppan is pitching. I hope Suppan proves me wrong but I wouldn't boo him.

For what it's worth, Sunday is the seven year anniversary of Fernando Tatis hitting two grand slams in one inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cardinals won that game 12-5 and Tatis set the record for grand slams in one inning (2) and RBI in one inning (8).

Mark Mulder (1-0, 4.05 ERA) has the mound today against the Cubs' Jerome Williams (0-1, 2.45 ERA). Today's game is the fourth of nineteen games against the arch-rivals from the north side. All-time, the Cardinals trail in the series 1,056-1,020.

Albert Pujols is looking for his 1,000th career hit today and if he gets it in his first at-bat, he will tie Todd Helton for being the second fastest (3,003). Jim Edmonds and Pujols are having a race of their own as they expect to pass Mark McGwire's 220 Cardinal home runs this season but it's a matter of who gets there first. Edmonds has 212 home runs and Pujols has 211 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Milestone watch:
Mark Mulder needs 2 wins for his 100th career win.
Albert Pujols needs 1 hit for his 1,000th career hit.
Albert Pujols needs 9 home runs to tie McGwire for Cardinal home runs (220).
Jim Edmonds needs 8 home runs to tie McGwire.

Starters
Cardinals
Eckstein SS
Rodriguez LF
Pujols 1B
Rolen 3B
Edmonds CF
Encarnacion RF
Molina C
Miles 2B
Mulder P

Cubs
Pierre CF
Hairston 2B
Walker 1B
Ramirez 3B
Barrett C
Jones RF
Murton LF
Cedeno SS
Williams P

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