Injury updates: Mark Grudzielanek (sore lower back) and Albert Pujols (strained right adductor muscle) remain day-to-day considerations for La Russa. Grudzielanek swung more aggressively in batting practice on Tuesday than on Monday. Pujols pinch-hit on Monday night, creating a powerful tactical option for the Cards.
"You do the best you can," La Russa said when asked about picking his spots with Pujols. "You can't script these games. Yesterday was there were two outs, so he didn't have to run the bases. It was the seventh inning -- there could have been a better opportunity in the ninth, but you don't know."
