Pujols is back! St. Louis Cardinals handle Mets 10-5

The Cardinals pushed its record above .500 for the spring with a 10-5 win over the Mets today. Its record is now 12-11 with just a few games left on the Spring Training slate. The season begins a week from tomorrow in Cincy.

Albert Pujols finally starred in what has been a quiet spring limited by a stiff back. The Cardinals slugger went 3-for-4 and hit a home run to lead St. Louis to the win. Ryan Ludwick, Nick Stavinoha, and Colby Rasmus each went yard in support of Kyle Lohse. Lohse went 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs for another solid effort out of the Cardinals rotation over the weekend. The Cardinals are finally starting to put it together just before the season commences.

The Cardinals had 18 hits in its best offensive performance this spring. Besides the home run hitters, Allen Craig had three hits — including two triples. It was just one of those days where everything went right for the Redbirds.

Craig and Stavinoha seem to be on track to fill out the final two roster spots based on their play at the plate over the last month. Both have been good and both stepped up today. In this final week, those last two spots and the fifth starter announcement are among the questions we await answers to. So, stay tuned.

Jaime Garcia gets his first spring start tomorrow to make his bid for that fifth spot. The Cards will take on the Twins in Jupiter.