Despite early-season predictions of the Central again being the weakest division in the National League, that hasn’t been the case in the first half, especially judging by the number of players representin’ the NLC.

Led largely by Chicago not sucking for a change, 7 Cubs were placed on the team. Geovany Soto, Kosuke Fukudome, and Alfonso Soriano were all voted on as starters, although Soriano is injured and probably won’t play.

Lance Berkman and Ryan Braun round out the other fan-voted starters from the Central. Not bad for last year’s weakest division. 5 of the 8 starting spots. And there’s a great chance that either Edinson Volquez–the Reds token star–or Carlos Zambrano will start the game.

How the pathetic have risen.

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The Cardinals narrowly escaped from Mark Mulder’s second outing since being reinstated from the disabled list.

Mulder came on in relief in the seventh inning. Thanks to earlier ineffective pitching from starter Joel Pineiro, the game St. Louis had taken a 4-run 1st inning lead in was tied. Mulder promptly gave up 2 runs.

But not to worry! Chris Duncan and Troy Glaus flew to the rescue, launching home runs to tie and then win the game for St. Louis.

It was a good thing, too. With the Cubs winning and the ribald rivalry with Chicago looming, it’s in St. Louis’ best interests to be as close as possible. Got to make that series a battle for first place, after all.

This week on the podcast:

• Shawn Chacon’s breathtaking misadventures
• Lou Piniella gets fired. Up.
• Why we hate umpires

And all this *before* Corey Patterson came up with two outs in the bottom of 11 and the winning run on base.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Kyle Lohse threw 7 innings yesterday allowing only one run, unearned, helping the Cardinals to their 48th team win and his 10th.

Is there any doubt in the minds of Reds fans that Dave Duncan is a god among mere mortals? I haven’t followed other teams enough to know what happens to their cast-offs, but the ones from the Reds turn to gold. Josh Hancock, Ryan Franklin, and Kyle Lohse are the ones that come immediately to mind. Watch out next year, NL Central, when the Cardinals rule the world with Todd Coffey and Bronson Arroyo!

St. Louis scored some runs, too. The pitching coach’s son is apparently back with the team, and he hit his 5th home run. Albert Pujols also drove in a couple runs, playing the entire game at first.

And in momentous news, Mark Mulder made his first appearance since Mexican Independence Day last year. Mulder was okay, allowing 2 hits and no runs in his one inning of work. If he’s healthy and effective, he could be quite a shot in the arm for the club. If nothing else, he’s well-rested.

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Jason LaRue blocked the plate, held onto the ball, and survived a collision with David DeJesus yesterday to keep the Royals off the board in the first inning. The next inning, he celebrated further by launching a 2-run homer to give the Cardinals the lead.

Albert Pujols also hit a home run, and just missed a second. Pujols served as the DH after being activated for the Royals series. His presence was missed, and his return helped St. Louis dispatch their in-state rivals.

It also moves them 2.5 games out of first, behind the slumping Cubs.