"As you may have noticed, the Cardinals have played pretty well since getting Mark DeRosa off the disabled list and adding hitters Matt Holliday and Julio Lugo.

They won 15 of 19 games, using uncommon offensive depth to grind down opponents. They filled their offensive holes and built a surplus of good hitters.

(Tuesday night in Los Angeles, for instance, they rested Yadier Molina, gave outfielder Colby Rasmus a sick day and brought Julio Lugo and Mark DeRosa off the bench. Lugo was hitting .343 as a Card and DeRosa was coming off a 6-for-20 homestand.)

And here is the bad news for the National League: The Cards should only get better between now and the playoffs.

The addition of veteran hurler John Smoltz was one positive step. His signing was a no-risk move that will pay off on some level.

Does he have anything left? We'll see. Dave Duncan will try to work the same magic he worked with Jeff Weaver back in 2006, with favorable results.

The Cards still are looking for a No. 5 starter. And they still need help in the bullpen, too. Smoltz will get every chance to use whatever he has left.

And regardless of what role he fills, he will add character and leadership to the group. That has real value as the Cards play meaningful games.

Todd Wellemeyer has had a chance to step back from the group and regroup. IF he can get healthy and IF he can regain some semblance of his '08 form, the Cards will effectively acquire a new pitcher for the stretch run.

Other options are emerging for the Cards, too. Troy Glaus has begun his comeback from shoulder surgery in earnest. He is finally throwing well enough to play third base in Memphis."