June 14, 2002 featuring The Book On Albert Pujols

My apologies for not getting this out a little sooner. Along with covering the Cardinals, I'm now doing the Royals report and working with Chris on the Player Rankings. Seeing as how the Player Rankings are a new feature to the site, they took a lot more of my time over the past couple of weeks than they are expected to from now on.

-James Meyerriecks

TEAM NEWS: 35-29 (2nd place NL Central, 1 game back)

Rotation:

Staff ace Matt Morris (8-4, 3.35) will be on the hill when the Cardinals host the Royals Friday night. After struggling through a span of four consecutive tough divisional outings, Morris seems to be rounding the bend a bit. He'd been working deep into counts, and had been losing a lot of hitters (13 BB's in 22 innings). However, he rebounded nicely in his last start in Kansas City. In an 11-3 win over the Royals last Saturday, Morris threw only 102 pitches over his 8 innings of work, allowing just 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 1 walk. Look for him to pick it up the rest of the way.

Next start: 6/14 vs. KC
Update - Morris was on Friday night, as he allowed 0 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in 8 innings. He struck out 7, and threw 119 pitches (73 strikes). While the high pitch count is a bit frightening, Morris looks to be returning to his old dominant self.

Darryl Kile (4-4, 3.97) has struggled again in his last two starts. Though he managed to eek out a 12-6 win on June 7 in Kansas City, he was less than spectacular. Kyle allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and 4 walks in 5.1 innings, and was tagged for 2 dingers by Royals prospect Brandon Berger. He followed that by getting lit up in SafeCo by the Mariners, allowing 5 runs (all earned) on 7 hits in just 4.1 innings. The lone bright spot in the 5-0 loss was that he did not walk a batter.

Next start: 6/18 @ Cubs

Veteran righthander Woody Williams (3-2, 2.48) continues to shine. Facing a team that he has never handled well in Seattle, Williams gutted out 7 solid innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. Through 6 starts since his return from the DL in May, Williams has yet to allow more than 3 runs in a game. He has also lasted through the sixth inning in each of those starts.

Next start: 6/16 vs. KC

The contribution that middle-aged rookie Jason Simontacchi (4-0, 2.39) has made to the team is immeasurable. Initially thought to be a filler in the rotation until everyone got healthy, Simontacchi continues to amaze. In Kansas City last week, Simontacchi sufferred his shortest outing of the season, going only 5 innings. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and 2 walks, and failed to record a decision. Scroll down for more on his status in the injury report.

Next start: 6/15 vs. KC

22 year old lefty Bud Smith (0-4, 8.74) just can't seem to regain the form that made him such a hot commodity last season. As he's shuffled back and forth between AAA Memphis and the big club, Smith has yet to find any kind of rhythm to his game, and a possible move to the bullpen seems imminent. In what was actually one of his better outings of the season this weekend, Smith allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. Eventually, he should straighten out. Right now, he isn't even worth a bench spot.

Next start: Up in the air.... Extra off days have allowed the Cards to skip him in the rotation.

Garrett Stephenson (1-4, 6.64) remains on the 15 day DL with surgery on his left hamstring. Scroll down for more info on Stephenson in the Injury Report. With or without the injury, Stephenson barely warrants consideration, even in the deepest of leagues.

Bullpen:

Closer Jason Isringhausen (2-0, 1.15, 15 SV) had a string of 16 scoreless innings end in his last outing on June 4. He has been unavailable for almost a week, and recently had an MRI on his elbow. Reports are that the MRI showed only a minor strain, and he is listed as available for the Royals series this weekend. Scroll down for more in the Injury Report.

Lefty setup man Steve Kline (0-0, 5.54, 1 SV) has yet to show the ability that made him one of the top relievers in the league last season. He does have some pretty reasonable excuses (trips to the DL with a strained left triceps and Gout in his left foot), and should start to improve as he gets closer to 100%. If Izzy is out for any length of time, look for most of the team's closing duties to fall on Kline's shoulders.

Mike Timlin (1-3, 2.97) has filled in well as the primary setup man until Kline straightens out. He's kept an astounding 0.94 WHIP, but has struggled with the long ball. The last 8 runs that he's allowed have scored via air mail, and he allowed his second walk-off homer of the season this past week to Raul Ibanez of the Royals. On the lighter side, this practice has improved Timlin's form after allowing walk-off homers. After surrendering a game winning homer to the Cubs' Alex Gonzalez in Wrigley Field earlier this season, Timlin remained on the field, calling for a new ball..... This time, he at least seemed to realize that the game was over. He has, however, been one of the workhorses of the staff so far this year, and could see some scatterred save opportunities if Izzy's injury is more serious than they're letting on.

Dave Veres (3-3, 3.63) has struggled for the third straight year, but has more experience closing than any other member of the staff. Look for him to see some scatterred save opportunities until Izzy is 100%.

Catchers:

Mike Matheny and Mike Difelice combine to give the Cardinals one of the most awful offensive catching units in the majors. They're both mainly there for their defense, and that's not helping any fantasy team much.

Infield:

1b Tino Martinez enjoyed facing AL pitchers again. Through the first 6 games of interleague play, Martinez was hitting a blistering .333 with 2 homers, and has raised his average to a respectable .243. Look for him to continue to adjust over the next month or two, as July and August have always been his best months.

2b Fernando Vina is quietly putting together a career year. He's currently splattering the ball at a .296 clip, and is on pace for career highs in RBI, SBs and doubles. He plays a scrappy game, and has had trouble with injuries over the last few seasons, so keep an eye on him. If Vina stays healthy, he should continue to be a solid second-tier 2b.

As he continues to adjust to an everyday role, look for 3b Placido Polanco to raise his decent .254 average closer to his strong .293 career mark. He still doesn't have any power, and his base-stealing skills are no better than marginal. Still, a guy who hits well for average can help to balance a few free-swinging sluggers out.

SS Edgar Renteria has remained pretty healthy so far this season, and has maintained a solid .292 batting average. Renteria has decent fence clearing power for the position, and is a solid base-runner. However, he has yet to show that this year, with just 2 homers and 6 steals. Look for him to turn it up a notch the rest of the way, as he was amazing in the second half last season.

Outfield:

It seems that it was just a matter of time before LF/3b Albert Pujols returned to form. The righthanded slugger has crushed the ball lately, hitting an astonishing .375 over the past week with 2 homers and 10 RBI. He should raise his average from its current .291 to a much better .310 when all is said and done, and remains right on pace with last year's amazing .329-37-130 season.

Oft-injured RF J.D. Drew has been in an awful slump, and is batting just .200 over the last week, with 4 hits (all singles) and 1 RBI. Drew still has a ton of promise, and could develop into one of the better five tool players in the game, but just can't seem to get it going. He's too good to bench, and he should start to come around soon. Keep him in the lineup.

Utility man Eli Marrero has done an admirable job filling in for Jim Edmonds over the past few weeks. Over the last week, Marrero is hitting a solid .300 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. He will give way to Edmonds when he returns, but Marrero should continue to play all over the diamond, and his value remains decent as a catcher, even with limited playing time.

As he's having his best season in the majors, it's been a shame not to see Edmonds in the lineup lately. Edmonds is batting a robust .341 so far this season to go along with 12 homers and 36 RBI. When he returns, Edmonds should pick up where he left off, though he may tail off a bit towards the end of the year.

Local Perspective:

The fans are upbeat in St. Louis right now. The Cards really haven't hit stride yet, but remain just a game off the pace in the Central. With Drew, Tino, and Kile underachieving, as well as a few others, the town seems sure that they have a team that has a real shot if they can just play to their potential.

While many fans in the area have bashed Interleague Play in the past, it appears that the regional rivalry has boosted interest. Friday's game saw a packed house of 40,000+, and there aren't even any Standing Room Only tickets left for Sunday's game with the Royals.

The Book On:

Albert Pujols:

Fantasy owners across the country can thank MLB's schedulers for Pujols' rise to stardom. In 2001, Pujols was initially kept with the team after spring training last season because their predominantly left-handed lineup was to face lefty starters Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle, Randy Johnson, and Brian Anderson over their first 6 games in Arizona and Colorado. Albert started tearing the cover off the ball then, and hasn't looked back since.

Pujols crushed the ball to a tune of a .370 AVG. with 8 homers and 27 RBI last April, solidifying his spot as an everyday player while covering four different positions on the diamond. The trend continued until late June, when he hit a slump, and hit just .241 from the last week of June through the end of July. This is where Pujols showed his true mettle as a major leaguer though.

Pujols followed up on his woeful July by hitting a sizzling .375 with 6 homers and 25 RBI in August, a feat which he just about duplicated in a hot September which saw him bat .321-6-25. His maturity, at the age of only 21, helped him to finish with an amazing rookie year which saw him hit .329 with 37 dingers and 130 RBI and earn him a unanimous Rookie of the Year Award. Look for Pujols to continue to grow, as he should be one of the game's brightest superstars for years to come.

Injuries:

An MRI on closer Jason Isringhausen's arm Thursday revealed a minor strain in his pitching elbow. Since the strain is minor, Izzy has been listed as available for the team, if necessary, this weekend against the Royals.

Spin - It sounds like he's ok, but Tony Larussa will be cautious with him until he's at 100%. Expect Kline, Veres, and Timlin to handle the closing duties for the time being. The cautious attitude here should prove to be the best for both the Cardinals and your fantasy squad, as it should help to keep him from a trip to the DL. In Friday night's game, Veres and Kline combined to shut down the Royals in the 9th. Side note - I can't believe I just agreed with something Tony Larussa's doing.

CF Jim Edmonds is on schedule to return on Sunday afternoon when he's eligible. Edmonds was placed on the DL retro-active to June 1 with a sprained wrist.

Spin - Expect Edmonds to possibly sit a day at some point this week. However, get him in your lineup, as he's killed the ball all year.

SP Jason Simontacchi left his last start in Kansas City after 5 innings, complaining of a small blister on his pitching hand. He is expected to make his next start on Saturday afternoon.

Spin - Keep your eye on him, but get him in your lineup. Simontacchi has been golden this year, and the Royals are well below the .500 mark. He should be fine.

SP Garrett Stephenson is not expected to be back with the club until August. Stephenson has been on the DL since June 4, as he's had surgery performed on his left hamstring.

Spin - If you have Stephenson, your team is probably hurting in the standings more than his hammy is hurting him. Take this as a final sign that it's time to give up on him. He's not even worth the DL spot.

QUICK VIEW:

Add/Acquire:

Bud Smith - This may be hard to justify, but Smith will be a solid second tier starter for years. He's looked about as good as Darren Oliver usually does so far this year, and is probably on the waiver wire in most leagues. He's not a great option for smaller leagues, but should turn it around enough in the second half to warrant a spot in deep leagues, and definitely keepers.

Woody Williams - Williams has made this list in every report so far. Has anyone noticed why? 3-2 (not so hot), 2.48 ERA (now we're talking). He's thrown 7 starts so far this season, and all qualify as quality starts with the exception of his first outing in Houston (he left after 2 innings with a strained oblique muscle). By now, whoever was lucky enough to get him in the middle to late rounds in your draft is holding onto him for dear life, but you should try to pry him free anyway.

Steve Kline, Dave Veres, and Mike Timlin - All three are good options to steal some cheap saves until Izzy is 100%. Kline is, by far, the best option.

Tino Martinez - For years now, Tino has been a model of consistency. What's made this year an exception? He's had a bit of trouble adjusting to NL pitching. As he begins to lock in, look for a solid second half.

Drop/Shop:

Eli Marrero - He got off to a great start this year, and he does still qualify at catcher. However, his playing time is about to drastically diminish as Edmonds returns to the lineup. He'll still play from time to time, but will never get the chance to contribute on an everyday basis.

Garrett Stephenson - As with Williams on the "Add" list, Stephenson has made the "Drop" list in all Cardinals Reports so far. Seriously. Everyone and their mother talked him up as this ungodly sleeper pitcher. Did anyone else notice that while he was winning 16 games in 2000, his ERA was a robust 4.49? Did anyone happen to notice that he was coming off of MAJOR arm surgery quicker than anyone had ever come back before? All of the praises that were sung about Stephenson earlier in the year were asinine. Stephenson was never that great, and his value actually went up, as he can no longer destroy your ERA and WHIP if he's on your DL.