Next Game: Sun., April 10 @ 1:15 p.m. CT
TV: WB-11 | Radio: KMOX 1120

Jon Lieber (1-0) vs Chris Carpenter (1-0)

The Cardinals will take one last look back at their remarkable 2004 season on Sunday afternoon. Before the rubber game of their series against the Phillies, the Cards will receive rings commemorating their '04 National League championship.
Once the ceremony is over, one of the most important players from that run will take the mound. Chris Carpenter makes his '05 home debut against the Phillies, coming off an excellent performance in the season opener in Houston.

With a win, St. Louis will clinch its first series victory of the year after a two-game split against the Astros. The Cardinals went 3-3 against Philadelphia last year. They haven't swept the Phillies in St. Louis since 2001.

The Cardinals have an off day on Monday, followed by their first home series against a divisional opponent and their first home night game of the year. The Reds come to town on Tuesday for a 7:10 p.m. CT start at Busch.

Pitching matchup
PHI: RHP Jon Lieber
• 1-0, 4.76 ERA in 2005
• Did not face STL in 2004
• 11-6, 4.56 ERA in career vs. STL

STL: RHP Chris Carpenter
• 1-0, 1.29 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 5.25 in 2004 vs. PHI
• 2-1, 4.19 in career vs. PHI

Player to watch
A number of Cards hit Lieber well, but none has punished him the way Jim Edmonds has. The center fielder is a career .407 (11-for-27) hitter with five homers, three doubles and four walks (.484 on-base percentage, 1.074 slugging percentage) against the right-hander.

Quotable
"That's really the whole key -- are you tough enough to sustain how tough you compete? And it is a real challenge, especially for the first four months. And, actually, if you've really got it going, it becomes such a habit that in the last two months it becomes a little easier -- but it's a real challenge." -- manager Tony La Russa

On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• PHI: WPSG TV-57
• STL: KPLR TV-11

On radio
• PHI: KMOX 1120 AM
• STL: WPHT 1210 AM, WPWA 1590 AM (Espaρol)

Quick hits
Including Spring Training, Albert Pujols has yet to strike out in 93 plate appearances in 2005. ... Scott Rolen is 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position this season. ... Larry Walker is 6-for-14 (.429) against right-handed pitching. ... Cardinals pitchers have not hit a batter this year. ... David Eckstein has seen five pitches per plate appearance.

On deck
• Monday: Off
• Tuesday: vs. Reds, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: vs. Reds, 12:10 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Off
• Friday: at Brewers, 7:05 p.m. CT