After I read your post I checked the stats at Memphis. Jrod's numbers have been in steady decline all spring. Ryan Ludwick on the other hand has continued to perform. His walk to strike out ratio could be better, but this the only weekness I can see.

 Ankiel and Stavinoha have yet to impress, but that fact that Ankiel has nine hits and eight are for extra bases is interesting. Rick also needs to sharpen his eye and take more walks.

  I can't see any reason for keeping Schu on the 25 man roster, and his is the only roster spot that can be changed. Why Wait for JuanE?

 So I would trade out Ludwick for Shu, and give Ryan as many AB's as possible until JaunE returns. It's not a real shake up just a stir.

And changing out Rodriguez or Ludwick for Skip and putting them in the lineup full-time has to be done.  Also, Duncan does need to move down to 4 and Edmonds up to 2.  I know Edmonds doesn't like hitting 2nd and LaRussa probably doesn't want to put too much pressure on Duncan to drive in runs, but right now it has to be done.  Edmonds still walks a fair amount and can get on base in front of Pujols -- maybe hitting him there will help shake him out a little.  Move Rolen to 5 -- he'll whine but so what?

Also, Miles has to play SS, at least for today.  Our leadoff spot is absolutlely abysmal right now.  How many times does LaRussa have to see Eckstein hit a weak pop fly before he's given a day or two off.  Eckstein's OBP right now is .307 and he's slugging a blistering .258.  He's making Brad Ausmus look like Bonds.  I know that Miles isn't the long-term answer to this problem, but he should play today and it's possible he can be a short-term answer.

Until the talent starts coming up through the minor league pipe, we're going to be a .500 team at best - and that's with Albert Pujols being Albert Pujols.

I'm not sure about Dave Duncan's finest hour. I'm pretty sure those 4 weeks last October > These 3 weeks in April - but yeah, this team is going to become 'unwatchable' real fast if the pitching (especially Looper) doesn't continue to outperform expectations.

and I'd be lying if I didn't think we should bring Roy Hobbs up at some point. I'd pay to watch an outfield of J-Rod, Duncan, and Ankiel. They may not win, but they'd beat watching P-dub, JuanEnc, and (washedup) Jimmy (not to mention Skip Schumaker).

Just for fun, career major league lines for Ankiel and Schumaker:

 87 AB, 9 R, 18 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 6 BB, 29 SO, .207/.258/.310 AVG/OBP/SLG, 44 OPS+
101 AB, 14 R, 20 H, 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 8 BB, 9 SO, .198/.255/.257 AVG/OBP/SLG, 35 OPS+

(where do they keep those things?)

I believe you meant "pitcher". And while we're at it, I think Bill Dewitt should be added to the poll.

I think that if the Cardinals are able to score today against the Cubs and win in a high intensity game, then the bats would liven up just a bit. As they say, hitting is contagious.

The real problem I see here is that the whole team is playing so badly that there are not many options to replace guys.  One could make the arguement that Gooch is marginaly better in center than Edmonds or Spezio is a better than Rolen at third in their current state, but when you have to choose from a .528 or .558 OPS does it even make a difference?

I'm a TLR fan - but sometimes I wish he'd pull a Jim Leyland and go off on his team.  

ok, maybe not.

STL:

1. Miles SS
   
2. Duncan LF
   
3. Pujols 1B
   
4. Rolen 3B
   
5. Edmonds CF
   
6. Spiezio RF
   
7. Kennedy 2B
   
8. Molina C
   
9. Wainwright P

1. Theriot 2B
   
2. Floyd LF
   
3. Lee 1B
   
4. Ramirez 3B
   
5. Barrett C
   
6. Jones RF
   
7. Cedeno SS
   
8. Pie CF
   
9. Miller P

let's hope he can get out of this and settle in. otherwise, it's another long afternoon.

RUN AFTER THE BALL!

It may have gotten out without the wind, but I'm skeptical.  He's had that exact same cut and had them be flyballs in the gap many times this season.

Nice K Wainer! Looks like he's getting to his stride today. finally.

An Albert Pujols liner right up the middle at your head.

show of hands, who thinks the bats will go back to sleep now that a lefty is pitching?

This game might never end.

After the second batter, Wainwright looked pretty damned good that inning.

Buzz by next time up, anyone?

curses and bad vibes to all things cub related

losing is bad enough, but do we always have to lose to them?

let's hold'em here and get a lead again.

Molina bunt?
Pinch-hit Taguchi?

Down 4-0 in the ninth they go double-walk-double-walk-K-single-walk-K-foul out to plate 3 and lose by one.

Also, Brad Lidge threw one pitch and gave up a double.

Actually, PW has hit well in this series.

I hope it was Piniella.