The Arizona Diamondbacks (4-4) will play host to the St. Louis Cardinals (3-6) and their all-world slugging first baseman, Albert Pujols. Phat Albert may very well be playing his last season in Cardinals red unless the team agrees to cough up the 10-year, $300 million he's asking for on his next deal. For the sake of the entire National League, let's hope it's the Yankees or Red Sox that cough up the money to buy this guy so he can stop terrorizing NL pitching.
Pujols, for whatever reason, hasn't hit the ball great at Chase Field in his career. According to CBS Sports, "in six games in Arizona last season, Pujols hit .174 with a homer and four RBIs. He is hitting .213 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 12 games at Chase Field since 2008, his lowest batting average for any stadium he has appeared in at least 10 games."
So maybe the park can contain him, at least until the Home Run Derby this July. That specific task will fall on projected starting pitchers Barry Enright (Monday), Armando Galarraga (Tuesday) and Ian Kennedy (Wendesday). Good luck, boys.
The Cardinals are off to a slow start this season, and unlike the D-backs may be lacking in "Tru Grit". Or, it could just be their bad luck with injuries. Kyle McClellan (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will take the bump for the Red Birds.
AZ Snakepit has a comprehensive breakdown of the series between the Snakes and Birds including a look at how the Cardinals might have earned some bad karma.
AZ Snake Pit - For Arizona Diamondbacks Fans
These huge losses might spell doom for the Cardinals in what should be a very competitive NL Central. If nothing else, these injuries point to a massive amount of bad karma toward a higher power.
Today's game is schedule to start at 6:40 p.m. local time and will be broadcast on Fox Sports Arizona (TV) and KTAR 620 (Radio).
Fans can follow along with the live action in the always entertaining game thread at AZ Snakepit.