GRAND CENTER — Albert Pujols looms as the fourth hitter for the Cardinals in the next inning, but he won’t have his favorite Houston closer around to test. Brad Lidge collected his first save for the Phillies this afternoon, and he’s left his intro music and his role to Houston’s new closer.

And quite a closer he is.

Jose Valverde had 47 saves for Arizona last season, and he finished 14th in the MVP voting. With a little Lima Time-like flair, he had a 2.66 ERA and he struck out 78 batters in 64 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals, as a team, are 5-for-23 against Valverde, hitting .217/.296/.391 against the righthander.

One of the hitters with the best success against Valverde is set to leadoff the ninth inning for the Cardinals — Aaron Miles. And the best is in Boston, unable to see well enough to drive a car, let alone to try an unlikely comeback as a professional baseball player. The numbers for select Cardinals against Valverde:

Miles … 2-for-5, both singles.

Juan Encarnacion … 2-for-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBIs, 1 K

Pujols … 0-for-4, BB, K

Cesar Izturis … 0-for-2

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That is J.R. Towles’ 11th RBI in five games against the Cardinals.

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Something to keep track of this season, if possible: How many steals were on the pitcher and how many steals were on Yadier Molina. Bourn’s second steal of the evening, just now, would be on the pitcher.

But Molina just erased the steal by picking off his 21st runner. That puts him ahead of Lopez in the rankings mentioned earlier. (See: Molina pickin’ entry.)

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Now here is a fine test for the Cardinals’ double-leadoff lineup; though it’s an academic one because a pinch hitter would be coming up in a traditional lineup.

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Sheesh this game cruised. Gotta go get a tie on.

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