"By Tuesday night, the fit between the Cardinals and John Smoltz had become too obvious for either party to ignore. On Wednesday, their working relationship became official when Smoltz agreed to join the National League Central leaders for a pennant drive, first as a starting pitcher and eventually as a late-inning bridge to closer Ryan Franklin.

Smoltz, 42, inherits No. 30 since Chris Carpenter is the current keeper of his longtime No. 29. More significant, the game's most prolific postseason pitcher ever will attempt to project his Hall of Fame résumé on a team willing to make a $100,000 investment in return for his experience, versatility and desire to salvage a truncated campaign.

"There is no down side to this move," Carpenter said.

General manager John Mozeliak labeled Smoltz's availability "a unique opportunity" to stoke a team that suddenly finds itself on a dominant perch with 40 games remaining.

Smoltz is set to make his Cardinals debut in a Sunday start against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. He is expected to join the club today.

The Cardinals included postseason award incentives as a sweetener, but the Boston Red Sox remain liable for all but a fraction of the $5.5 million deal Smoltz signed as a free agent last winter.

"It was too inviting not to take a chance on," Mozeliak said.

The club will give Smoltz at least two or three starts to build himself up following a two-week layoff from competition. Manager Tony La Russa, who acknowledged greater needs could be found in the bullpen, said that he and pitching coach Dave Duncan would re-evaluate the situation after Smoltz's projected second start, vs. Washington on Aug. 28.

"One of the things we talked about was getting him the opportunity to start a couple games," Mozeliak said. "The logic behind that was to give him some work that he hasn't had right now. Ultimately, when the calendar flips to September, he will be used however he can best help this organization."

Smoltz arrives after going 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in Boston but possesses statistical splits that suggest he might offer assistance in late-inning relief. La Russa likened the move's potential benefits to August trades for first baseman Will Clark (2000) and outfielder Larry Walker (2004).

"How do you pick up Will Clark? How do you pick up Larry Walker? Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good," La Russa said.

Wednesday's move clearly was made with an eye on the postseason. The Cardinals' willingness to commit at least two starts to a pitcher who labored in eight American League appearances suggests both growing frustration over organizational options and the buffer offered by a six-game lead.

"We're not so concerned with trying to gear up for the next week," Mozeliak said. "We're trying to gear up for the stretch run. Allowing him to get more work as a starter made more sense at this time.""