Countdown to Opening Day: #12 St. Louis Cardinals

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Pirates, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, biggest spring training question and top prospect

PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Ryan Theriot

CF Colby Rasmus

1B Albert Pujols

LF Matt Holliday

RF Lance Berkman

3B David Freese

C Yadier Molina

2B Skip Schumaker

P Chris Carpenter

PROJECTED ROTATION

Chris Carpenter

Jaime Garcia

Jake Westbrook

Kyle Lohse

Kyle McClellan

(Adam Wainwright out for season)

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Ryan Franklin
Set-up - Jason Motte

Top Prospect - Shelby Miller (RHP)

Breakout

Colby Rasmus - He's been the most touted prospect in the organization since Albert Pujols and every year he has become more and more of a complete player. From 16 homers, to 23 homers, now 24 years old Rasmus is the everyday center fielder with a chance for 30 homers.

Bust

Lance Berkman - If the Cardinals think they are getting the guy that gave them fits for a decade in Houston they are going to be sorely mistaken. He's no longer the offensive player he once was and to put him in the outfield just means a lot of balls that should be caught falling for singles. Balls that should be cut-off rolling to the wall for extra bases. And that's if he can stay on the field and healthy.

Biggest Spring Training Question

Pujols' contract - What out for eggshells because it has to feel like the littlest mistakes could have the face of Cardinals moving on to greener pastures. The injuries are already piling up and could a down year for the team mean the last year under the arch for Albert?

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 86-76

Can Pujols power the Cards to the Central crown?

PROJECTED FINISH: 4th in the National League Central

***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
 

Check back tomorrow for the Chicago White Sox