I really like the price we get on the LA Angels here in the opener of a three-game series at St. Louis Friday night.

Cardinals' right-hander Michael Wacha (4-3, 6.00 ERA) will make his first career start against the Halos on the heels of surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits in four innings of an 8-7 loss to the New York Mets last time out. Wacha has been tagged with at least six runs in fewer than five innings in three of his last five outings and he has allowed 19 runs (18 earned) over 22 innings of work at home this season.

The Angels counter with Griffin Canning (2-3, 3.93 ERA) who allowed four runs on six hits in six innings of a 6-5 defeat to the Rays at Tampa Bay on Sunday, but that was one of few rough outings during an otherwise solid rookie season.

Note that this will be 39-year-old Albert Pujols' first trip back to St. Louis since leaving the club he spent his first 11 major league seasons with. "I think it's just going to be emotional for myself," Pujols said. "When I got to St. Louis, I was 21, and when I left, I was 32. I got there as a baby and left as a man. You can't ignore the success I had there, individually and team accomplishments, winning championships. It's pretty awesome. I'm excited."

10* play on LA Angels.