Albert Pujols watch: Cardinals change entire lineup to aid chase for 700

Give the St. Louis Cardinals credit — they can chase a playoff spot and help Albert Pujols make history at the same time.

The Cards face the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night with the Milwaukee Brewers at a safe distance in the NL Central. St. Louis holds a 7.5-game lead over their counterparts, with the Brew Crew far more focused at securing the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League.

With that in mind, there isn’t an immense amount of pressure on the Cardinals to maintain their lead. Should they slip up for a game, it’s not the end of the world.

Oli Marmol moved Albert Pujols up to the No. 2 slot in the lineup for Saturday’s game. That is significant for a number of reasons, first and foremost being Pujols will likely secure an extra at-bat as a result.

Pujols is also a monster against left-handed pitching this season, so it’s not like the Cards are forfeiting much by moving Albert up in the lineup.

Cardinals make lineup change to help Albert Pujols

Pujols doesn’t bat second often. In fact, he only has 17 games and 29 official plate appearances in the No. 2 hole.

Seemingly all of Pujols 19 home runs this season have their own story. Saturday night could add to that if he were to hit a homer out of the No. 2 slot.

Just last night, Pujols credited former manager Tony La Russa for his first-pitch home run. Pujols admittedly doesn’t like to swing that early in at-bats, but La Russa’s philosophy may finally be wearing on him years later.

"“He was always mad at me because I took a lot of first pitches,” Pujols said, via Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. “I still take a lot of first pitches. I feel like I’m a better hitter with two strikes. I go up there and if it’s not the pitch I’m looking for, I take it. Sometimes, you take a pitch down the middle, but that’s not where you are probably looking for it. Sometimes, the ball moves just a hair, and it kind of throws you off. I’m not an aggressive hitter. That’s always been me, since I was little, minor leagues, college, high school. I like to take pitches.”"

It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.