At the halfway point

As the Major League Baseball season sits at its midway point, the news

is decidedly mixed for the St. Louis Cardinals.

They're five games under .500 and 7 1/2 games out of first place in

the NL Central (and seven games behind the Dodgers in the wild-card

race). The offense has been anemic, the starting pitching has

struggled mightily and injuries have affected almost every aspect of

the team's game.

Still, this is a team that is in a good position to make a run in the

second half.

First, the bullpen has been outstanding. Jason Isringhausen is back to

his old self and Ryan Franklin has had a strong year. Add to that

recently-unretired Troy Percival, and the late innings are a strong

point for the 'Birds.

Second, there is hope for the starting rotation. Kip Wells has pitched

well since being exiled from the starting rotation last month and will

be given a second chance to start second half. If Wells pitches like

he has the last month -- and like he did in his lone start in that

stretch, when he threw five innings of five-strikeout, one-run ball

against the Phillies -- then that's actually good news. Also, Chris

Carpenter should be back in the rotation soon. If anybody can bolster

a weak rotation, the former Cy Young winner can.

Third, the team probably can't do a lot worse at the plate. Albert

Pujols -- surprisingly benched in the All-Star Game by his own manager

-- is due to break out of his home-run drought, while Scott Rolen and

possibly others, like Adam Kennedy and Jim Edmonds, should improve in

the second half.

Finally, the competition isn't invincible. The Brewers -- the NL

Central's surprising leaders -- are 10 games over .500 but are just

25-29 since winning 24 of their first 34 games to open the season. If

St. Louis gets hot, the Central could be there for the taking.

Stay tuned gang, the second half starts Friday in Philly...