The Mulder option

"When he gets to the park tomorrow, we'll see how he feels. If he needs to bang one, we'll give him one."

OK.

Of all the numbers following the Cardinals 6-4 victory over the Cubs on Monday, it's this one that stands out to me. St. Louis is looking at playing 35 games in the season's last 34 days (that would include a makeup of Sunday's game against Chicago).

With such a brutal schedule, that creates a need in the starting rotation. As good as Looper, Pineiro, Reyes, Wainwright and Wells have been in recent weeks, they're going to need some help in the final month.

How soon does Mark Mulder get a start in the big leagues? The lefty's second rehab start is scheduled for tonight. With one or maybe two more minor league starts after this one, Mulder becomes an option in early September.

Update: Four innings and one unearned run for Mulder.

It will be interesting to see how La Russa and Dave Duncan play this one. They could turn to Brad Thompson or even Todd Wellemeyer, once he returns from the D.L., to fill the void down the stretch.

They could also look to Memphis. The rosters expand in September but if any those guys had much promise, they would already be in St. Louis.

There are four pitchers in the Memphis rotation with at least 20 starts this season. Randy Keisler has the lowest ERA -- 4.53. Of course, the Cardinals have already seen Keisler in St. Louis this season. No need for a curtain call.

I'm sure the Cardinals are anxious to get Mulder back and see what he can do. A few weeks ago, many thought they would have that opportunity without the glare of a pennant race.

Now they could be looking at turning the ball over to a pitcher they haven't seen in the big leagues since last August and asking him to win a game with the division on the line.

How crazy is that?

But when you're three games under .500, only three games out of first place, and have a former pitcher hitting home runs and starting in the outfield, you know it's been a crazy season.

41 games to go and the playoffs odds have climbed to 11%, almost 20% when you consider how the team is currently performing.

Play ball.