CINCINNATI _ In the first half of the season, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has been juggling his four regular outfielders, giving each a significant chance to play. “Everybody’s got at-bats,” said La Russa.

But now, as the Cardinals head for the All-Star break and the second half of the season, La Russa said that he would play the best three and he said today rookie Colby Rasmus is one of the three. Since he came back from a stomach ailment which required a visit to the doctor, Rasmus has gone seven for 12. Meanwhile, Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan, the other lefthanded “starting” outfielders, have struggled.

“In Rick’s case and Chris’ case, they’re capable of better at-bats,” said La Russa. “I think they’re pressing more than anything else.”

Against Cincinnati righthander Micah Owings today, La Russa wants as much lefthanded presence as possible, so he is playing Rasmus, Duncan and Ankiel, with righthanded-hitting Ryan Ludwick sitting. Duncan, a .347 hitter in Great American Ball Park, is batting fourth despite the fact he hasn’t had a hit in his last 13 at-bats/La Russa said he was hoping that being in a setting where had succeeded would jump-start Duncan.

The lineups:

Cardinals:

Skip Schumaker 2b

Colby Rasmus cf

Albert Pujols 1b

Chris Duncan lf

Rick Ankiel rf

Yadier Molina c

Joe Thurston 3b

Brad Thompson p

Brendan Ryan ss

Cincinnati:

Chris Dickerson lf

Willy Taveras cf

Joey Votto 1b

Brandon Phillips 2b

Jay Bruce rf

Edwin Encarnacion 3b

Jerry Hairston Jr. ss

Ramon Hernandez c

Micah Owings p