JUPITER, Fla. — Manager Tony La Russa insisted Wednesday that little remains settled about his outfield, that playing time in the middle infield can very much be won with a surge of performance and that … well, the pitching situation is well-covered.

The lineup is fixed at its corners — with Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus and Yadier Molina riveted in as starters — and open to interpretation everywhere else. But the lineup for Thursday’s game against the New York Mets is revealing.

(For more than Juan Gonzalez’s name not appearing anywhere on the lineup card, the reason having been explained in this morning’s Cardinals Newsletter.)

It very well could be the April 2 lineup against Colorado.

Originally, starter Braden Looper was on turn to throw the third game of the season, at Busch Stadium against the defending National League champ. The Cardinals have some wiggle room with two off days between now and then, and Looper is likely to be bumped up to No. 2 starter in the wake of setbacks to Joel Pineiro, the original April 2 starter, and Matt Clement.

With lefty Jeff Francis likely to start for Colorado on opening day, a righthanded-heavy lineup could feature numerous combinations of hitters. But Thursday’s, against a righthanded pitcher, looks a lot like Game 2 could.

Consider:

THE CARDINALS (5-9-1)

1. Skip Schumaker, RF
2. Chris Duncan, LF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Rick Ankiel, CF
5. Troy Glaus, 3B
6. Adam Kennedy, 2B
7. Yadier Molina, C
8. Braden Looper, RHP
9. Cesar Izturis, SS

Bench: C Jason LaRue, INF Brendan Ryan, OF Brian Barton, OF Ryan Ludwick, OF/1B Joe Mather, INF Aaron Miles, INF D’Angelo Jimenez.

Bullpen: Jason Isringhausen, Kelvin Jimenez, Chris Perez, Jason Motte, Hugo Castellanos.

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