JUPITER, Fla. — Have to imagine manager Tony La Russa already had Skip Schumaker penciled in as the leadoff hitter tonight when he told the media this morning that, yes, because we were so intent in asking about it, he would change his leadoff rotation.

So, it wasn’t a surprise when he posted the lineup an hour ago for the night game.

What is a bit of a surprise is where some of the players are playing or hitters are hitting for tonight’s game against Florida. Amaury Marti scores a cleanup spot and Colby Rasmus is in right.

Rain is falling and now the field is covered. Cue the radar.

The Cardinals (2-5)

1. Skip Schumaker, LF
2. Adam Kennedy, 2B
3. Rick Ankiel, CF
4. Amaury Marti, DH
5. Chris Duncan, 1B
6. Brendan Ryan, SS
7. Colby Rasmus, RF
8. Jason LaRue, C
9. Brian Barden, 3B

Starting pitcher: RHP Adam Wainwright. Followed by: LHP Jaime Garcia. The plan is to squeeze six innings out of those two arms, and then maybe throw some of the younger pitchers in, like RHP Mark McCormick, RHP David Kopp or RHP Blake King. Pitching coach Dave Duncan said he is reluctant to ask too much of the youngsters for the reason mentioned earlier in the newsletter — they haven’t faced hitters yet.