Five Things to Watch: Cardinals, Orioles Get Boosts

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The return of the cleanup hitter. When the Cardinals put up the worst offensive numbers in baseball over a 14-game stretch -- as they just did -- you'd figure they've been missing a big bat. You'd be right. You'd probably figure that bat would belong to Albert Pujols. And you'd be wrong.

Outfielder Ryan Ludwick, due back from the disabled list Friday night in San Francisco, has been the missing link. His early production (eight homers, 26 RBIs in 30 games) helped the Cardinals lead the N.L. in scoring (133 runs) in April. Even more than his numbers, though, the Cardinals have missed the protection Ludwick provides Pujols.

Since Ludwick left the cleanup spot, the Cardinals have been held to three runs or fewer in nine of 14 games and rank last in the majors in runs (44), batting average (.220) and on-base percentage (.291).

Pujols has felt Ludwick's absence as much as anyone.

If Pujols has a weakness, it is that he can become frustrated when he isn't seeing enough strikes. As a result, he will expand his zone. Without Ludwick, Pujols hasn't seen many strikes (why he ever sees many is another story). Pujols has walked 16 times for a healthy .483 OBP, but he has only one homer with six RBIs and five strikeouts. Those numbers pale against his production over his first 26 games when he hit 13 homers, drove in 34 runs, struck out 11 times and walked 22 times.

The Cardinals have moved into first place in this Ludwick-less stretch because their pitching has stepped up. They have held opponents to three runs or fewer in their past nine games, seven of which they won.

All-Star voting. The first returns are in, and I have few quibbles with the fans' choices. The Marlins' Hanley Ramirez is a more deserving choice at shortstop than the Brewers' J.J. Hardy, but no worries. Ramirez will make the team even if he isn't voted to the N.L. starting lineup. The Ramirez slight is compensated by the fact that fans finally are recognizing St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina, who holds a slim lead over Houston's Pudge Rodriguez.

While Manny Ramirez's fourth-place spot among N.L. outfielders is giving talk-show hosts something to rail on, don't expect much whining from me if Ramirez moves into the top three. If the fans want to tell us that they're not bothered by players who use performance-enhancing drugs, let them. Fans are footing the bill for all of this, right?

What will be more telling is what happens with Alex Rodriguez. His impact on the Yankees since he returned from hip surgery makes him worthy of All-Star recognition. But Evan Longoria, as he should, is running away with the starting spot at third base. If that holds, A-Rod's appearance at the midsummer classic in St. Louis would be up to his fellow players and managers.

Let's see if A-Rod's colleagues dock him for his admission of using steroids. If A-Rod is left off their ballots, commissioner Bud Selig could make A-Rod one of the finalists for the final roster spot chosen by online voting. But don't count on that.

Good times in Baltimore. Hey, the Orioles are doing something right. They are bringing up uber-prospect Matt Wieters when the club is at home. The switch-hitting catcher is expected to debut tonight against Dontrelle Willis and the Tigers. Wieters, 23, has been likened to a "Joe Mauer with power" (before Mauer turned up his power anyway). Wieters has hit lefties better than righthanders at Class AAA this season. His numbers in 39 games: .305, 5 homers, 30 RBIs (.324, 2, 9 against lefties).

Those wild and crazy Padres. For a club one game over .500, the Padres have had a roller-coaster season. Picked to finish last in the N.L. West by Sporting News, they started 9-3. Then they went 4-19. Now they're on an 11-1 run going into three games at Denver.

One person who isn't surprised by the success is closer Heath Bell, who has played a big role in it by converting all 14 of his save opportunities. When the Padres' hot start was overlooked nationally, Bell actually phoned the desk at MLB Network to voice his complaint.

"All the media likes coming to San Diego, but San Diego gets no air time," Heath said recently. "So we jumped out to a good start and everybody said, 'They won't last.' Then we struggled and everyone said, 'I told you so.'

"Well, I predict after the All-Star break, if the Dodgers are still in first place, they're going to look behind them and go, 'Dude, San Diego is right there.' "

You can be sure Bell will do his part, on and off the mound. "I'm not looking to get myself out there, but if people are talking about that weird guy in San Diego, they're talking about the San Diego Padres. That's all right with me," he said.

Coming soon: the June 9 draft. When his high school season began, 6-5 righthander Jacob Turner was considered a potential first-round pick. Less than two months later, Turner has emerged as a "top five talent," according to an area scout who has followed his career.

Why the climb? The velocity on Turner's fastball has increased about 5 mph. It topped out at 97 mph when he pitched -- and lost, 3-0 -- his final high school game for Westminster Christian Academy (St. Louis) on Wednesday. Scouts attribute the increase to additional arm strength and a cold, rainy start to the season. As the weather turned warmer in Missouri, the heat rose on Turner's fastball.

Turner's stock has improved, but that doesn't mean he'll be the first high-school pitcher chosen. He is being advised by the Scott Boras empire, and as the area scout pointed out, "That takes some teams out of the picture just like that."

The area scout said he has been as impressed by Turner's calm demeanor as his big-time stuff. "I've seen him a lot and he always looks just like he does right now," said the scout as Turner warmed up for an inning.

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