2009: 91-71 (1st)

So Long: OF Rick Ankiel, OF Mark DeRosa, 1B Troy Glaus, SS Khalil Greene, P Joel Pineiro, P John Smoltz, P Todd Wellemeyer

Welcome: 2B Felipe Lopez, P Brad Penny

Projected Starting Lineup (courtesy of rototimes.com)
1. Skip Schumaker, 2B
2. Colby Rasmus, CF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Matt Holliday, LF
5. Ryan Ludwick, RF
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. David Freese, 3B
8. Brendan Ryan, SS

Rotation - Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse, Brad Penny, Jaime Garcia
Setup - Trever Miller, Jason Motte
Closer - Ryan Franklin

Yeah, that about sums it up.

If this team were a disease/ailment it would be: - An exceptionally large tumor. Even if it's a benign one, the giant tumor in question is the amount of money the Cards have tied into Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday. Will these two be a benefit or a burden to the otherwise average and unspectacular Cardinals batting lineup?

Next person to have his arm fall off - Adam Wainwright. How will he follow up his masterful 233 inning season in 2009? Probably with a DL stint.

Next person to make Dave Duncan look like a genius - Brad Penny. Watch as Brad Penny pitches his ass off this season on his way to getting a fat contract next season followed by him regressing back to his early 2009 form.

Sorry this preview sucks.