ST. LOUIS — Influential members of the St. Louis Cardinals coaching staff spent the last couple months of the regular season stumping for the defensive ability of their battery — the pitcher and catcher combination that they felt was worthy…

It took until the top of the sixth, but the Cardinals and Dodgers just had their first 1-2-3 inning.

Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario got three straight outs as Skip Schumaker, Brendan Ryan and Albert Pujols went down in order, all on…

CINCINNATI — Shortstop Brendan Ryan returns to the lineup for Wednesday night’s tilt against the Cincinnati Reds while outfielder Rick Ankiel sits for the fourth time in five games. Manager Tony La Russa recently commented that rookie Colby Rasmus would…

DENVER — St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan took a pitch off his right hand when he attempted to bunt in the sixth inning of today’s game against Colorado. Ryan turned to bunt at a pitch and got clipped on…

DENVER — St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan makes his return to the lineup, but when it comes to returns of playoff importance it’s the other lineup that has the biggest name back in place: Colorado is starting Aaron Cook.

The…

HOUSTON — St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brendan Ryan has wrapped the end of his bat with enough tape that he can grip the hilt tightly enough with his sprained pinky finger, and it’s that tape that has manager Tony La Russa writing…

HOUSTON — First baseman Albert Pujols, who left Monday’s game one plate appearance after jamming his left wrist while applying a tag near first base, is in the lineup today. Manager Tony La Russa called him “good to go” after…

SAN DIEGO — The Cardinals and San Diego Padres introduce the same pitching matchup tonight as in the Cardinals’ Aug. 15 7-4 win at Busch Stadium with Joel Pineiro (11-9, 3.45) facing off against Tim Stauffer (1-5, 3.50) in a…

ST. LOUIS — Sporting a St. Louis Cardinals jersey with the No. 33 stitched on the back and greeting whomever with a handshake and a release form, NBA star Shaquille O’Neal and his throng from Hollywood dominated batting practice and…

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NEW YORK — Manager Tony La Russa will include two lefthanded bats in tonight’s lineup against New York Mets lefthander Johan Santana (12-8, 2.96 ERA). Center fielder Rick Ankiel will start and bat seventh after compiling a .412 average…