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| Cardinals star Albert Pujols got the start at third base on Monday night. But his cameo over at the hot corner is not the story. His missing power stroke is. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
La Russa caused an immediate stir before the game started when he inserted star first baseman Albert Pujols at third base. La Russa said it was Pujols who volunteered.
"The whole thing centered on Albert," La Russa said. "Albert volunteered to play third. I wouldn't have really come forward unless we had a lot more reasons to do it."
And while Pujols getting the start at third base for the first time since 2002 is a nice story, the bigger story is the power outage the slugger has struggled through over his last 20 games.
Pujols, who has 415 career home runs in his career, but the superstar has not hit a home run since April 23rd, a span of 21 games.
Pujols has gone 80 at bats without putting a ball over the fence. Sure it is nice to see that at lease Pujols has raised his average from .250 to .259 during this span. But it is certainly concerning that one of the premier sluggers in baseball is definitely undergoing a significant power outage.
While Pujols has not been hitting any home runs, he is not been hitting for any extra base hits either.
Pujols has just two doubles and zero triples over this prolonged power rut. Usually a run producing machine, Pujols has just seven RBI's since his last home run.
Albert's lack of production is more than just a fluke at this point. It is a trend.
So while Pujols played a nice third base on Monday night and showed that he truly is a team player by raising his hand to fill in. Do not let Tony La Russa's sideshow fool you.
The slugger is clearly struggling at the plate.
Cardinals fans can only hope that a change of scenery in the field wakes up "El Hombre's" bat at the plate.
Sources:
- Albert Pujols 2011 game log
- Tony La Russa quote on Albert Pujols playing third base
- St. Louis Cardinals 3 Philadelphia Phillies 1 - Box Score
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