Pre-Gamin' with RedBird Nation (at Cubs) 1:20pm

If there is one thing that the Saint Louis Cardinals should really know how to deal with, it would most certainly have to be alternating in-and-out of the lineups from the injuries that continuously occur—starting with last season, and now most definitely this season, already.

The injury bug has seemed to hit hard once again, which has sadly occurred at unfortunate time—and if this team will have any chance to compete for the likes of either the Central division title, or the Wild Card for that matter, either these guys need to recover and stay healthy—or we need our youngsters to step up a lot more than big time.

With starting shortstop and Mr. Walkoff basehit leader Rafael Furcal ailing and Lance Berkman returning from injury, manager Mike Matheny has turned to his bench and role players to plug the missing holes for today’s key contest in the rubber match against division-rival Chicago.

This afternoon’s pitching matchup:

Joe Kelly (Saint Louis) 8-10, 4.31 ERA versus Paul Maholm (Chicago) 9-6, 3.88 ERA

Saint Louis Cardinals lineup for today’s contest:

1. Daniel Descalso (shortstop)
2.  Allen Craig (Right Field)
3.  Matt Holliday (Left Field)
4. Carlos Beltran (Centerfield)
5. Yadier Molina (Catcher)
6. David Freese (Third Base)
7. Matt Carpenter (First Base)
8. Tyler Greene (Second Base)
9. Adam Wainwright (Pitcher)