The Cardinals have scored 23 runs in their last 10 games. They're batting .188 with a .240 OBP and a .288 SLG during that time. The starvation offense includes a .155 batting average against lefty pitchers over the last 10 games.

And really, should anyone be surprised by that?

Look at some of the lineups Tony La Russa has utilized of late. He's been experimenting all over the place (save for No. 3 and No. 4 in the order). You can blame the manager if you'd like, but during the second half of the season, there aren't ready-made solutions to problem areas.

The Cardinals' terrible depth was exposed by injuries to David Freese (out since June 26), Ryan Ludwick (who missed about a month before being traded on July 30) and Colby Rasmus (in late August).

Continuing along those lines, the Cardinals have had to use, or have opted to use, too many misplaced hitters in key lineup spots.

Let me offer two examples:

1 - Would a championship-caliber club have Felipe Lopez making 303 plate appearances in the leadoff spot? Of course not.  In the No. 1 hole, Lopez has a .234 BA and .307 OBP.

2 - Would a championship-caliber club be so vulnerable in the No. 5 spot? Of course not, but let me explain. 

Rasmus has done some good things as a No. 5 hitter. In 158 ABs there, he has 10 homers and a .511 slugging percentage. Rasmus presents danger if pitchers want to get cute and work around Albert Pujols and/or Matt Holliday. But Rasmus has only 210 plate appearances as the No. 5 hitter. Part of that is due to injury; part of that is because of the manager's decisions and stubborness.

Before his injury Freese had 123 PA in the 5 slot. But the Cardinals have given an unusually high number of plate appearances to mediocre, rookie or unproven hitters in the 5 spot this season. Jon Jay, Yadier Molina, Allen Craig, Nick Stavinoha, Randy Winn, Lopez, Pedro Feliz and Aaron Miles have combined for 210 plate appearances this season -- or the same number as Rasmus.

That ain't right.

Championship-caliber teams have more authority in the 5 spot. For example, Jayson Werth has 503 PA as the No. 5 hitter for Philadelphia. And Cincinnati has given most of the turns to Jonny Gomes and Jay Bruce in the 5 slot. Gomes and Bruce aren't ideal, but they certainly present more danger as No. 5 hitters than most of the guys the Cardinals have used there.

And even though Molina has some solid numbers as a No. 6 hitter this season, I would maintain that he wouldn't be getting so many plate appearances at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots if the Cardinals had a deeper lineup.

I haven't been able to run the numbers, but I'd be curious to see the Cardinals' production in the No. 2 spot since dealing Ludwick.