Dodgers’ Albert Pujols batting third against St. Louis for potentially his last series at Busch Stadium

A collection began Monday between two playoff contenders in St. Louis that appears to be every kind of enjoyable. The 86-51 Dodgers are one sport out within the NL West and holding a huge cushion for the highest wild card spot. The 69-67 Cardinals are 3 1/2 video games out within the struggle for the second NL wild card. 

This collection is 4 video games, too. 

As backdrop, Albert Pujols will probably be in St. Louis and it is solely attainable that is the final time he’ll be there as a player. To be clear, Pujols hasn’t closed the door on coming again subsequent yr or something, however he is within the last yr of his contract and is a 41-year-old player trying like he is on his final legs. 

Pujols did not seem within the first sport of the collection — a 5-1 Dodgers win behind a dominant Max Scherzer — however he is batting third in Dave Roberts’ lineup for Tuesday’s sport towards lefty starter J.A. Happ: 

Since coming to the Dodgers, Pujols has loved success as a part-timer. In 69 video games, he is hit .261/.303/.479 (109 OPS+) with 11 homers in 165 at-bats. He is seeking to win one other ring with a really gifted Dodgers workforce. 

The glory days for Pujols, although, got here in St. Louis. In 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Pujols gained a Rookie of the Yr, three MVPs and two World Sequence. He hit .328/.420/.617 (170 OPS+!) with 2,073 hits, 455 doubles, 445 homers, 1,329 RBI, 1,291 runs and numerous reminiscences. He gained six Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves. How good was Pujols? Along with these three MVPs, he completed second in voting 4 instances — twice to late-prime Barry Bonds — and third as soon as. 

Pujols has returned to St. Louis as a member of an opposing workforce earlier than. In 2019, his Angels visited Busch Stadium to nice Pujols fanfare as many believed that will be his final time there. He even homered. 

The very best a part of that spotlight is clearly Yadier Molina throwing filth playfully on Pujols as he crossed the plate, although the opposing-player curtain name was respectable as effectively. 

“I by no means thought that was the final time,” Pujols stated of that go to (via The Athletic). “The thought by no means crossed my thoughts. However having one other alternative to return to the place every part began for me, it will be a particular second.”

Pujols will get to see Molina behind the plate and Adam Wainwright is the scheduled beginning pitcher on Wednesday. The trio gained the World Sequence along with the Cardinals in 2006 after which once more in 2011 (although Wainwright was out that season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure). Molina and Wainwright have been profession Cardinals whereas Pujols spent 11 years there. The three appear strongly tied to one another. Molina is ready to retire after 2022. Wainwright would not have a lot time left as a player, and in all probability and this could be Pujols’ final journey to the place the place he turned a Corridor of Famer. 

There are certain to be some particular moments in Busch Stadium this week revolving across the three.