Should they bring Ankiel back?

After seeing the team's recent offensive struggles, I think the answer is yes.

In the last week, St. Louis has been shut out twice and held to just

one run two more times. While the team is in the middle of the

National League pack in team bating average, the Cardinals have scored

the third-fewest runs in the NL and are tied for next to last in RBIs.

With an offense that week, the Cards have nothing to lose by giving

Ankiel a try. Through 66 games at Class AAA Memphis, Ankiel is hitting

.279 with 21 homers and 56 RBIs.

Ankiel blasted three home runs on June 16 in a 7-5 win over the Iowa

Cubs. With Jim Edmonds hurt and only Chris Duncan providing consistent

power hitting from the outfield, why not?

The former left-handed pitching standout has proven that he has

successfully made the transition from pitching to hitting. The

Cardinals are very close to completely falling out of contention, if

they haven't already.

What's there to lose?

Cardinals' pitching woes: While looking at the Cardinals' anemic

offensive statistics, I was shocked to see that the team is also dead

last in the NL in earned-run average.

The team has an ERA of 4.89, which really isn't surprising when you

know that even the team's two best starters have ERAs of over 4.50 --

Adam Wainwright's ERA is 4.58 and Braden Looper's is 4.66. And Looper

is hurt at the moment.

However, there are some bright spots. Kip Wells and Anthony Reyes --

who have combined to go 3-21 this season -- are both coming off of

solid outings.

Wells allowed just one run in five innings, getting a no-decision in

the Cards' 5-1 loss to the Phillies last Sunday, while Reyes allowed

just two hits in a 2-0, rain-shortened loss to the Mets Wednesday.

With the addition of Mike Maroth from the Tigers and the possibility

of having former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter back in the rotation

before the end of the summer, it may not be too late for the 'Birds

after all.