Cards vs. Pirates

Chris Carpenter (12-6, 2.96 ERA) goes for his 13th win of the season today. Carp has been showing why he won the Cy Young Award last year as he is 6-2 with an impressive 2.95 ERA since June 28th over a course of 12 starts.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, Carpenter (12-6, 2.96 ERA) is putting himself in contention to win it again based on his performance in the second half of the season. Since June 28, Carpenter has gone 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA and two complete games in 12 starts

"I think he's definitely in contention," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "I think it's a short list. He's been a stopper for us already several times."

Carpenter went 21-5 with a 2.83 ERA to win the award for the first time in his career last season. His ERA this season ranks second in the NL behind Florida rookie Josh Johnson's 2.87.

Carpenter also has been superb in his last three outings, allowing just three runs over his last 25 innings. The right-hander gave up a run and two hits over eight innings to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, but didn't earn a decision.

For Carpenter to win it, he really has to pick up several more wins. The league leader right now has about 14 wins. Carp takes the start against Zach Duke (8-12, 5.01).

Anthony Reyes takes the place of Mark Mulder as Mulder is headed back to the DL and Reyes will get another turn in the rotation on Sunday.

Friday
Cardinals Lineup
Preston Wilson RF
So Taguchi LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Aaron Miles SS
Yadier Molina C
Chris Carpenter P

Today's game may have gone on record as the quickest game ever, in time, at the new Busch Stadium with a running time of 1:54. Carpenter gave up one run and three hits while striking out 8 for his third complete game of the 2006 season. On another note, please keep Jon Lester in your thoughts and prayers. He has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

Winning pitcher - Chris Carpenter (13-6)
HR: Preston Wilson (13)

In the game notes for Sunday's game, it is said that yesterday's game was the quickest this season (which is a record for new Busch Stadium). One June 21, 2002, a game in Wrigley against the Cubs went 1:49 - it should be noted that it was the last game that Darryl Kile was in uniform. On August 20, 1995, the Braves defeated St. Louis 1-0 in 1:50.

Jeff Weaver (2-3, 5.92 ERA) takes the start for the Cardinals against right-hander Shawn Chacon (1-2, 7.88). In six starts in his career against the Pirates, Weaver is 4-1 with a 2.48 ERA.

Rick Hummell reminds us who might be in pursuit of the Wild Card for the third consecutive season in a row.

Saturday
Cardinals Lineup
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan RF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Scott Spiezio LF
Juan Encarnacion CF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Yadier Molina C
Jeff Weaver P

Today's game, quality-wise, was not that bad in terms of Cardinals pitching. Duncan made a great catch that prevented two runs at least. However, the Cardinals offense just couldn't score even on a aqueeze play. Jeff Weaver went deep into the game and kept his ERA under 6. He and Braden Looper combined to give up only 6 hits. The Cardinals were limited to only 8 hits.

Pittsburgh 1, St. Louis 0
Losing pitcher - Jeff Weaver (2-4, 5-14)

Anthony Reyes (4-6, 4.73) takes the start against Ian Snell (12-8, 4.70) on this Sunday afternoon in which I have to work. I'm actually doing my pregame notes after the game because of that.

Sunday
Cardinals Lineup
Aaron Miles SS
Chris Duncan LF
Albert Pujols 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Juan Encarnacion CF
Preston Wilson RF
Ronnie Belliard 2B
Yadier Molina C
Anthony Reyes P

Reyes was allowed to pitch his own way, and not Duncan's way. It must have worked because we saw the dominant Anthony Reyes today. He had 9 K's in 6.1 innings. Wainwright relieved him for 1.2 innings in which he struck out 3 batters. Isringhausen pitched the last 2/3 of the ninth on a non-save situation. All the runs were credited to Hancock.

Albert Pujols was INCREDIBLE with 3 home runs! However, he was unable to gain ground on Ryan Howard as Howard went yard three times. With the home runs though, Pujols reached the century mark in runs for the sixth straight season. Duncan went 2-4 with two runs. Molina, sporting the high socks, went 2-4. Mike Rose picked up his first Cardinal hit when he pinch hit for Adam Wainwright in the 8th inning.

Pittsburgh 3, St. Louis 6
Winning pitcher - Anthony Reyes (5-6)
HR: Albert Pujols (40, 41, 42)

Albert Pujols has his sixth consecutive season with 100 runs, 100 RBI, 30 home runs, and at least a .300 batting average. He is the only player to do so in the first five. With less than a month to go in the season, Pujols is at .321.

St. Louis moves to 73-62 and take on the Washington Nationals in a three game series starting tomorrow.

September call-ups include: John Rodriguez, Brad Thompson, and Anthony Reyes

Milestone watch:
Albert Pujols needs 12 home runs to tie Ken Boyer for 2nd on the Cardinals all-time home runs list with 255.
Jim Edmonds needs 1 home run to pass Ray Lankford for 4th all-time as a Cardinal.
Jason Isringhausen needs 2 saves for 250 career saves.