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| MLB Preview St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds |
Albert Pujols didn’t play during the St. Louis Cardinals’ most recent game, but the announcement of his surprising early return from the disabled list seemed to be enough to spark the club offensively. The three-time NL MVP’s first appearance in more than two weeks should also provide a palpable level of excitement. Pujols is expected back in the lineup as the Cardinals try for a three-game sweep of the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night. Pujols, who suffered a broken left wrist in a collision at first base June 19, was expected to miss at least six weeks but was activated more than a month ahead of schedule Tuesday. “I’m just happy to be available for the ballclub, it’s better than being on the DL, so I’m pretty excited,” he said. Manager Tony La Russa opted to sit Pujols for one more day after putting him through a rigorous pregame workout, but Matt Holliday more than made up for his absence by hitting two home runs during Tuesday’s 8-1 victory. Lance Berkman also went deep, homering for the fifth time in six days. His 51 career home runs versus Cincinnati (43-44) are the most among active players, with Pujols’ 44 coming in second. St. Louis (47-40) could be in for another big day at the plate with Bronson Arroyo (7-7, 5.49 ERA) scheduled to take the mound for the Reds. Arroyo is coming off one of his ugliest outings of the season, during which he surrendered eight runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings of Friday’s 8-2 loss to Cleveland. “There are so many variables in this game, but it’s definitely been a strange year in terms of going out and having consistent stuff,” said Arroyo, who’s already yielded five runs or more in seven starts - matching his total from 2010. “It’s been a strange year for me as far as feeling up and down on the mound.” Arroyo, 2-1 despite a 10.53 ERA over his last four road games, can’t be excited about returning to Busch Stadium. He’s gone 1-5 with a 7.13 ERA during his last seven visits to St. Louis, allowing five runs or more in four of those games. While no one in baseball has faced Arroyo more than Pujols, who is 18 for 63 (.286) with three homers against the right-hander, it’s been Skip Schumaker and Jon Jay who have given him fits, going 15 for 39 (.385) and 4 for 10, respectively. The Cardinals counter with Jake Westbrook (7-4, 4.92), who after allowing four runs in three consecutive outings thrived during Friday’s 5-3 road win over Tampa Bay. He allowed a season-low two hits and struck out seven over seven scoreless innings. “Outstanding,” La Russa said. “Just kept going after them. He was in command of his delivery, his emotions, his concentration.” The right-hander recorded a similar line April 24 versus the Reds, giving up three hits in six innings of a 3-0 victory. He is 2-1 with a 3.23 ERA over five career starts against Cincinnati. Westbrook will look to add to Cincinnati’s recent woes, as the club has lost four of five, scoring two runs or less in each of those defeats. “We’re a good team, but we’re just playing terrible ball,” second baseman Brandon Phillips said. “Nice and simple, that’s it. That’s all that’s going on.” Jay Bruce went 0 for 4 for the second straight game Tuesday and is 3 for 35 (.086) over his last nine. He is hitless in five career at-bats versus Westbrook. The Reds stun the Cardinals by avoiding the sweep and getting the win. MLB Picks: Cincinnati Reds Bet MLB all season long at BetPhoenix. This online sportsbook has the best odds and wagering opportunities in the MLB regular season all the way up to the World Series. 
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The St. Louis Cardinals are beating up on the Reds and they get their best player back tonight.
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