Glaus gets second straight start

ST. LOUIS -- Finally gearing up a bit after nearly a full season of rehab, Troy Glaus got his second straight start at third base on Friday night for the St. Louis Cardinals. Manager Tony La Russa believes Glaus can help the Cardinals in the postseason, even though he entered the final weekend batting .208 with two RBIs in 24 at-bats. Glaus had two hits and his first two RBIs in a 13-0 rout of the Reds on Thursday. "The reality is he's had an interrupted season," La Russa said. "I think it's impressive he's gotten to where he's got a chance to help us. I think that's a big statement right there." La Russa said he'd try to give Glaus some work the final weekend, but mostly planned on playing the games straight as the NL Central champions prepared for the playoffs. La Russa said Mark DeRosa would start at third base on Saturday. DeRosa, acquired from the Indians in June, took over at third after the Cardinals tired of waiting for Glaus to return from January shoulder surgery. Glaus had a handful of setbacks from that injury, and not long after he was activated at the start of September he was sidelined again after pulling a side muscle on a checked swing. "Obviously it was very frustrating," Glaus said. "But the last week or so has been good and I'll just take this opportunity to go out there and get as many reps as possible." Glaus, who hit 27 homers and 99 RBIs last year, believes he's ready to help the team in October. "Anytime you go onto the field and you're in the lineup you're confident, and hopefully everybody else is confident you can get the job done," Glaus said. "I've been able to do all my work and get as physically prepared to play as I can, and now it's time to go out there and try to help, and try to produce." The 33-year-old Glaus is due for free agency after the season. "I haven't even thought that far ahead," he said. "It sounds very cliche, but it's very much day to day."