Bernie Miklasz: Thanks for spending time with me today. I'm in my hotel room in LA, it's a beautiful day, and I'm ready for Game 1. I frequently interact with readers/fans/critics on STLtoday.com at Bernie's Press Box, so if you don't get your question answered here, go ahead and try it over there. However, I'll be really busy with early deadlines and columns and follow columns and such so I'm not sure if I'll be able to spend a lot of time in Bernie's Press Box tonight. And away we go...

Rich Johnson: Pujols has been in a home run slump for several weeks now. He has been getting singles and helping his team. He appears to be standing slightly taller at bat than before the slump. Beginning with the All Star Game he does not have the leg press he used to. It may be only an inch or so but his swing plane seems slightly higher and he is topping the ball and only getting line drive results. A slightly lower plane might return that home run swing. I would appreciate your comments. Thanks

Bernie Miklasz: When Pujols has a decline in power, it's usually related to his elbow (though the club never confirms that). In this instance, he's been dragging as of late because of the flu, and perhaps that sapped his strength. El Hombre appeared to be locked and loaded in BP yesterday. That he hasn't homered in so long probably bodes well for the Cardinals, because he's due.

Sean B: Ok this might sound crazy but what do you think of this lineup in game 1 and 2 versus the lefties.

B Ryan or Lugo SS
DeRosa 2nd
Pujols 1st
Holliday LF
Ludwig RF
Glaus 3rd
Molina C
Rasmus CF
Pitcher

I love Skip but Wolf and Kershaw are tough against lefties.

Bernie Miklasz: I don't want Lugo's glove at SS. I just hope his defense isn't a negative factor at second base. As for Rasmus, he's batting .160 vs. LH this season. Does not make sense to give him the ABs vs. Wolf and Kershaw, in my opinion. Thanks.

lilred: One important point when they face Kershaw: make him get the fastball down. I can't count how many swinging strikes he got on Cardinal hitters chasing the ball up. If it's a two strike pitch, I can understand. But you've got to have a game plan to take that pitch away. Then you not only swing at better pitches, you put more pressure on him to control his pitches, which is an issue for the talented youngster.

Thanks for the soapbox.

Bernie Miklasz: They have got to make Kershaw work and throw a lot of pitches and take their chances with LA's middle relievers, who are pretty good. But not as talented as Kershaw.

Ken Stallman: Bernie, You may have talked about this, but I am unaware. How much of Rick Porcello's success and the Cardinals passing on him, account of Boras' 7 million $ demand, did the Cardinals rethink this year in the June draft and draft Shelby Miller? Thanks.

Bernie Miklasz: In my opinion, the regrettable Porcello decision was a factor in BD deciding to pony up for Miller. The organization is sensitive to criticism. I think they had a credibility test to pass in terms of spending what it takes to sign a true power-pitcher prospect, which the organization doesn't have.