When the season started the Cardinals weren’t too confident that they had a competent outfield but they were wrong. Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker have formed one of the best outfields in the whole National League. Schumaker has been a big surprise but he really shouldn’t have been as a showed last season that he could hit while playing a reserve role on the Cardinals. Schumaker has played in 80 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 84 for 280 (.300 avg, .803 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 6 homers, 30 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. As long as he keeps hitting like he is now the Cardinals will keep giving him a lot of at bats and there is no reason to think he can’t keep it up.

The Cardinals have activated 1B Albert Pujols from the 15-day disabled list. This will give the Cardinals offense a huge boost as Pujols is one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball. Pujols has played in 65 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 77 for 222 (.347 avg, 1.106 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 16 homers and 42 RBIs. Pujols is so feared that he has been walked 52 times this season while only whiffing 23. To make room for Pujols on the roster the Cardinals have placed lefty reliever Randy Flores on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left ankle. Flores has pitched in 32 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this season and he is 1-0 with 1 save, a 5.12 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP.

The Cardinals have placed starting shortstop Cesar Izturis on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Izturis has played in 67 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 47 for 195 (.241 avg, .628 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 1 homer, 12 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Aaron Miles and Brendan Ryan will split time while Izturis is out and they are both better hitters than him but neither is in his class as a defender.

The Cardinals need another big bat with Albert Pujols down right now and Aubrey Huff may become available soon. The Cardinals could probably get him if they offered the Orioles Chris Duncan, Brendan Ryan and Anthony Reyes if the Orioles start to fade. Huff has played in 70 games for the Orioles this year and he is 72 for 271 (.266 avg, .815 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 12 homers and 39 RBIs. Huff is also known as a notorius second half hitter. The only question is can he handle a corner outfield spot on defense after Pujols returns? If he can the Cardinals would have to make this deal. Reyes would probably move right into the rotation for the Orioles after he comes off the D.L. He has pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this year and he is 2-1 with 1 save, a 4.91 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Chris Duncan would probably replace Huff in the starting lineup at 1B or DH. He has played in 55 games for the Cardinals this season and he is 37 for 158 (.234 avg, .668 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 4 homers and 17 RBIs. Brendan Ryan would be able to help out the Orioles at SS which has been a black hole for them this year. Ryan has played in 37 games this year for the Cardinals and he is 28 for 103 (.272 avg, .629 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 5 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

The Cardinals have placed righty reliever Anthony Reyes on the 15-day disabled list. Reyes has pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Cardinals this season and he was 2-1 with 1 save, a 4.91 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. The Cardinals have activated righty starter/reliever Brad Thompson from the D.L. Thompson has pitched in 7 games (3 starts) this season for the Cardinals and he is 1-2 with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.