If the Cardinals miss the playoffs, one thing that will be looked is the month of August where the Cardinals have lost series to Pittsburgh, Houston, Chicago and Milwaukee, all division rivals with a combined record that is 81 games under .500.

The Cardinals dropped their series in Pittsburgh, losing Wednesday night 5-2. Neil Walker hit a bases clearing triple in the third off Jake Westbrook who gave up four runs in six innings to take the loss. Five pitchers held the Cardinals to eight hits, just a double from Matt Holliday and a solo homer from Felipe Lopez the only highlights.

The Cardinals are now 3.5 games out of first behind Cincinnati who blew a 10-1 lead, but came back to beat the Giants 12-11.

The Albert Pujols triple crown watch. He dropped seven points behind Joey Votto of the Reds in batting average. Votto hit two homers to pull to within two homers of Pujols and Votto is at 90 RBI while Pujols is at 92. Votto is making a strong run for the triple crown as well.