Chris Duncan is off to a good start this season. He wasn’t projected to be a starter this season for the Cardinals but he’s hitting too good to not be penciled in the lineup. Duncan has played in 28 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 25 for 91 (.275 avg, .875 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 19 RBIs. As long as he hits, Duncan will likely hang onto a starting job.

The Cardinals have placed starting CF Rick Ankiel on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder contusion caused by him running into the wall in the outfield. Ankiel has played in 24 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 20 for 81 (.247 avg, .721 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 11 RBIs. The player most likely to benefit from Ankiel’s injury is rookie Colby Rasmus. Rasmus has played in 24 games this season for the Cardinals and he is 19 for 74 (.257 avg, .700 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. The Cardinals will miss Ankiel’s power while he is out as Rasmus is not that kind of hitter.