Manager Tony LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan have done a masterful job of deciding when you use Trever Miller and you can see that in his numbers. The 36-year old lefty reliever has pitched in 56 games (0 starts) this season and he is 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. He has only allowed 22 hits in 35 2/3 innings this season while whiffing 37 batters. This is the same Trever Miller who came into this season with a 14-14 record, 10 saves, a 4.43 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 519 games in his major league career. It’s amazing to watch LaRussa and Duncan getting the most out of their pitching staffs year in and year out.

The Cardinals have lost 27-year old righty swinging C/1B Nick Stavinoha for the season due to a fractured hand. That’s a bad break for him as the Cardinals were sure to call him up next week when rosters expand. Stavinoha played in 39 games for the Cardinals this season and he was 20 for 87 (.230 avg, .621 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 17 RBIs. He also played in 72 games in AAA-ball this season in which he was 73 for 259 (.282 avg, .843 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 11 homers and 56 RBIs.

The Cardinals have signed 42-year old righty pitcher John Smoltz to a 1-year deal. It’s up in the air as to whether he will start or relieve for the Cardinals. He pitched in 8 games (all starts) for the Red Sox this season before his release and he was 2-5 with a 8.33 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. But, his career numbers are outstanding so he could turn things around with a return to the N.L. Smoltz has pitched in 716 games (414 starts) in his major league career and he is 212-152 with 154 saves, a 3.32 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. This was a outstanding low risk move for the Cardinals as they can just cut Smoltz loose if he doesn’t work out.

The Cardinals felt confident enough in 25-year old righty swinging 3B Allen Craig’s career that they could move Brett Wallace in the Matt Holliday trade. Craig was the Cardinals’ #26 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He has played in 93 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 103 for 343 (.300 avg, .865 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 18 homers and 55 RBIs. He might get called up in September when rosters expand.