Cardinals, Reds battle start pivotal series tonight (8/24)

The Saint Louis Cardinals and the entire baseball world remembers what happened last season that led to the franchises' eleventh world title in an all-dramatic seven game series against the red-hot Texas Rangers--and even though the teams' top-slugger from that title team, Albert Pujols, who isn't there anymore, the 2012 team seems to be just as focused and determined this time around--and with a much-needed win tonight, would send a serious message out to the first-place Reds and to the entire MLB as well.

Exactly one year ago to this date; Tony La Russa, Albert Pujols, and the defending world-champion Cardinals begun there quest for there eleventh world title in franchise history--as they trailed the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves by a total of ten-and-a-half games--and had very little hope.

Now, entering tonight's game at the Great-American Ball Park; we will see the 2012 team in basically the same situation and position--except with a little less ground to make up this time around. Although the team owns a current lead for a Wild Card spot at the moment, they are exactly seven games behind the opposing-division-rival Reds by seven games.

Here is a look at the lineup that manager Mike Matheny has decided to put together for the first-of-three games in this all but huge three game series for the current defending champions.

1. Jon Jay (CenterField)
2. Carlos Beltran (Right Field)
3. Matt Holliday (Left Field)
4. Allen Craig (First Base)
5. Yadier Molina (Catcher)
6. David Freese (Thrird Base)
7. Skip Schumaker (Second Base)
8. Rafael Furcal (ShortStop)
9. Lance Lynn (Pitcher)

Friday night's pitching matchup between the second-place Cardinals and the Central-leading Cincinnati Reds in the first of this weekend's three game series.

(STL) Lance Lynn (13-5, 3.73 Earned-Run Average) vs. (CIN) Mat Latos (10-3, 3.56 Earned-Run Average)