Pujols will try to clean up Cards mess, Lopez to start at short

Albert Pujols will bat cleanup tonight for the first time in nearly seven years. Pujols last hit fourth on May 30, 2003. In those seven years, he hit third in 1,046 straight games. It’s another eye-opening move surrounding the club after falling behind the Cincinnati Reds in the standings. Felipe Lopez will return to the lineup at shortstop in place of the struggling Brendan Ryan. Lopez will bat leadoff and hopefully bring some stability to the Cards lineup. Colby Rasmus can slide down to the more comfortable fifth spot in the order. Matt Holliday will move in front of Pujols to bat third. Kyle Lohse will go for his first win of the year on the mound.

The Nationals are no pushover anymore, either. Washington is 20-18 on the year, a far cry from the dismal teams of the past. While the lineup looks similar, the Nats have become a competitive bunch and they’ve found ways to win so far. It should be a tough two games for the Cards as they try to regain first place in the division.

At least St. Louis doesn’t have to deal with Stephen Strasburg while they figure out their problems. The phenom wowed them in Spring Training and he’s been lights out in Harrisburg and Syracuse. Soon enough, he’ll be in the majors. Luckily for the Redbirds, he hasn’t gotten the call yet.

Lineups after the jump […]

Cardinals

Lopez, SS

Ludwick, RF

Holliday, LF

Pujols, 1B

Rasmus, CF

Freese, 3B

Molina, C

Schumaker, 2B

Lohse, P

Nationals

Harris, RF

Guzman, SS

Zimmerman, 3B

Dunn, 1B

Willingham, LF

Rodriguez, C

Kennedy, 2B

Bernadina, CF

Stammen, P

Just for fun, check out the lineup card from May 30, 2003. Some of the names will definitely take you back.

The Reds take on a Brewers club that has lost six straight and looked helpless against Philadelphia. It’s going to take some work to get a good grip on first place again.