Line went from -143 to -125 at thegreek, have a hard time believing people are pounding Washington.
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5/2 11:04A Albert Pujols 1B rest Doubtful is not expected to be in the starting lineup Saturday (5/2) at WashingtonComment -
WASHINGTON -- There will be no first-inning home runs from Albert Pujols on Saturday.
Pujols, who went deep in the first inning of each of the St. Louis Cardinals' first two games in their current four-game set against the Nationals, was given his first day off of the season Saturday by manager Tony La Russa.
With the club in the midst of a schedule that sees them play 34 games in the first 35 days of the season, not to mention midway through a 20-game string without a day off, La Russa opted to give the reigning National League Player of the Week a break with a day game after a night game.
Pujols, hitting .356, went 3-for-4 with three runs scored on Friday night, hitting his ninth home run of the season in the first inning of a 6-2 win, and finished a triple shy of the cycle.
Outfielder Chris Duncan, the team's cleanup hitter, will man first base for the game, with rookie Colby Rasmus taking Duncan's place in left field.
Washington pitchers can't relax too much, though. While not in the starting lineup, Pujols will be available to pinch-hit if needed.
The Cardinals come into Saturday's game with a 17-7 record, best in the Majors.
Lisa Winston is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.Comment -
wow, one player doesn't move a line in baseball except a Starting Pitcher. Shows you how important this guy is.Comment -
He is the whole team
Cards would be 4-20 without himComment -
I think they still get the job done.Originally posted by SBR_JohnComment