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The St. Louis Cardinals enter the 2012 MLB season the returning World Series champions and a team mourning the loss of first basemen Albert Pujols. This gives good reason for the mixed feelings that are assuredly perplexing fans so fortunate to find cheap St Louis Cardinals tickets to Busch Stadium. This season's schedule will determine whether the franchise is anything without the future hall of fame first baseman.

St. Louis has more to concern itself with than simply replacing the runs and sense of invincibility now gone west. In addition, there are a number of injury concerns. Starter and ace Chris Carpenter could have a long season of neck problems. Starter Adam Wainwright needs to prove he can maintain control in his return from Tommy Johns' surgery. David Freese needs to demonstrate the ability to remain healthy for a complete season now that he has taken over at third base. Carlos Beltran may be free of the New York Mets medical staff, but the damage they done to the hired gun of a right fielder may be permanent.

A repeat is far from out of the realm of possibilities. The starting staff, if the front two are healthy, is good enough to win out in the regular season in the NL East and has enough depth to weather a postseason. General Manager John Mozeliak has given first time manager Mike Matheny plenty of bats to save the baseball team from a major letdown.

The 21st century has been a free for all in the playoffs for a reason though. The reason the Cards may not play through begins in the bullpen. This is a talented but young unit. Fernando Salas, Marc Rzepcynski, Mitchell Boggs and company are tasked the mission of getting the St. Louis Cardinals from the end of the starters reign to Jason Motte in the ninth. This will be Motte's first time as a full-time closer, which is always scary for fans.