Nationals @ Cards – 4/6

The Cardinals have already won two of three against Washington in the second series of the young season. Today, starting pitcher Kyle Lohse hopes to continue the trend of effective outings by Cardinal starters, and help complete the sweep.  In his first appearance, Lohse threw five shutout innings against Colorado, striking out three while giving up just three hits.

Washington counters with left-hander John Lannan, just recalled from AAA.  Lannan was the Nationals’ Minor League pitcher of the year in 2007.  He’s appeared in just six major league games, compiling a record of 2-2, with an ERA of 4.15.  View all of his stats here.  Over the past couple of seasons, the Cardinals haven’t fared well against pitchers they’d never faced, but the new-look Redbirds may continue to surprise.

By now you’ve probably heard that veteran reliever Russ Springer has been put on the 15-day DL, and Kelvin Jimenez has taken his place in the pen.  The move looks as though it will make for an easier decision as to who comes off the roster when Joel Pineiro returns to the club.  Jimenez still has options.  The question remains, however, as to which starter gets bumped to make room for Pineiro in the rotation.

“These five have the opportunity right now to nail that spot down and not give it up,” said Tony La Russa. “There’s nothing wrong with feeling the pressure of the others coming back.  There’s everything right about it.  The reality is you pitch the five best guys you have.”

For more on Pineiro and the mending pitchers, check out Derrick Goold’s article, here.

We’ll meet again soon.  It’s about two hours from game time, and the lineups should be available shortly.

Update (1:00 pm):  And now, the lineups:

Washington

1. Guzman  SS
2. Milledge  CF
3. Zimmerman  3B
4. Johnson  1B
5. Kearns  RF
6. Lo Duca  C
7. Lopez  2B
8. Mackowiak  LF
9. Lannan  P

St. Louis

1. Barton  LF
2. Ankiel  CF
3. Pujols  1B
4. Glaus  3B
5. Ludwick  RF
6. Molina  C
7. Kennedy  2B
8. Lohse  P
9. Izturis  SS

Looks like Tony’s going with the same lineup as yesterday.  That never happens.