2009 MLB Preview - St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals
Manager: Tony LaRussa (14th season)
2008 Record: 86-76 (3rd NL Central)


Added: SS Khalil Greene (SD), RP Trever Miller (TB)
Lost: 2B Felipe Lopez (AZ), 2B Aaron Miles (CHC), SS Cesar Izturis (BAL)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. 2B Skip Schumaker (.302, 87 R, 8 HR, 46 RBI) 2. CF Rick Ankiel (.264, 65 R, 25 HR, 71 RBI) 3. 1B Albert Pujols (.357, 100 R, 37 HR, 116 RBI) 4. RF Ryan Ludwick (.299, 104 R, 37 HR, 113 RBI) 5. 3B David Freese (Rookie) 6. SS Khalil Greene (.213, 30 R, 10 HR, 35 RBI) 7. C Yadier Molina (.304, 37 R, 7 HR, 56 RBI) 8. LF Colby Rasmus (Rookie)

NOTE: 3B Troy Glaus will return in late April/early May due to injury

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Adam Wainwright (11-3, 3.20 ERA, 91 K) 2. Chris Carpenter (0-1, 1.76 ERA, 7 K) 3. Kyle Lohse (15-6, 3.78 ERA, 119 K) 4. Joel Piniero (7-7, 5.15 ERA, 81 K) 5. Todd Wellemayer (13-9, 3.71 ERA, 134 K)

Bench
C Jason LaRue, IF/OF Chris Duncan, IF Brendan Ryan, IF Brian Barden

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Jason Motte (Just 12 appearances), Ryan Franklin, Trever Miller, Josh Kinney, Dennys Reyes

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fantasy Studs: 1B Albert Pujols, OF Ryan Ludwick
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Colby Rasmus

Men In The Minors: C Bryan Anderson, 3B Brett Wallace, OF Daryl Jones, SP Jess Todd, SP Lance Lynn

Home Ballpark: Busch Stadium (Grade 9/10)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Team Outlook: For many teams, 86-76 is a good year but for the Cardinals, it was a bit of a disappointment. But considering all the injuries they had to deal with, especially on the pitching staff, the 2008 season should just be thrown away. This year, if the staff stays healthy, this team could be very dangerous. Wainwright showed flashes of his talent last year before injury. Carpenter has looked great all spring, hoping to return to the form of years past. Lohse has been nothing but steady for the team. Pineiro has the potential for 12-15 wins and if Wellemayer can just replicate last year's 13-win campaign, this staff could carry this team. Of course, getting some run support would help and they should with the help of Pujols and Ludwick. Ludwick's numbers may drop a bit but expect better numbers from Greene and Schumaker. The biggest question mark right now is the closer spot where Motte will be given the ball. How he does early in the year will be the most interesting thing to see. This team is talented, has one of the best managers in the game, and knows what it takes to reach the playoffs. They are a contender for a playoff spot for sure.

Next Preview: Tampa Bay Rays