Albert Pujols' timing couldn't be better

ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols bet on himself last winter when he reportedly turned down a nine-year offer from the Cardinals that was worth a little more than $200 million.

But after a disappointing regular season -- by his standards -- Pujols looks ready to double-down this October. When he does sign that new deal, either with St. Louis or elsewhere, Pujols should pass out Rolexes to his current teammates for getting him into the playoffs.

Pujols has made the most of his extra month, known as the bonus round for pending free agents. Heading into Thursday night's Game 4, Pujols was 7-for-11 in the NLCS with four doubles, a home run and six RBIs.

"You have to enjoy every game, every postseason, because it might be your last one," said Pujols, who is 31. "I've been blessed to be in so many and having a World Series ring so young in my career. And I'm just hungry all the time, every day, because you can't take this game for granted, that's for sure."

The Brewers already have seen enough of Pujols, and by the fourth inning of Wednesday night's Game 3, they were done pitching to him. After an RBI double in his first at-bat, and a single his next time up, Pujols was intentionally walked twice.

That's a tough way for the Brewers to live, with Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman waiting behind Pujols. But the three-time MVP is in a scary place right now, and when he's like this, he's capable of destroying a club almost single-handedly.

"He continues to grind, he continues to play and continues to do the things that amazes every single one of us every single day," Chris Carpenter said. "So what he's doing right now -- it's him. That's who he is. He's an exceptional player, an exceptional hitter. He's got the mind of stone. Nothing bothers him no matter what situation he's in. And that's what makes him great."

Pujols was hindered during the regular season by a fractured wrist, an injury that was supposed to cost him four to six weeks. He missed only 13 games, but his offensive production was down from previous years. Pujols batted .299, which was 32 points below his career average entering this season, and had 99 RBIs, making this the first season in his 11-year career that he failed to bat .300 and drive in 100 runs. He hit 37 home runs, but his .906 OPS was well short of his previous career 1.050 mark.

The dip in his numbers left others to theorize that Pujols' contract situation was weighing on his mind. But he's well insulated in St. Louis, with a fiercely protective manager in Tony La Russa and teammates who remain in awe of his ability.

"I think the mistake we could make is to think that it's been a different pressure this year," La Russa said. "Since his rookie season, we said, 'Are you for real?' He had to prove it over and over. He got off to a slow start this year -- it was tough for whatever reasons -- but ended up having a banner year.

"He's just immune. He's so strong between the ears. He knows exactly what he's responsible for, who he's responsible to, and he will not back off that."

For now, that loyalty remains with the Cardinals, and an irrepressible Pujols could be enough to get them to the World Series with a chance to win a second title in six years. Take Game 2, for example, when Pujols drove in five runs, as many as he had in his last 23 postseason games.

The timing is not great for the Brewers, who must deal with one of the most intimidating run-producers at the height of his powers. The only worse feeling could be sitting across the negotiating table from Pujols.

"My big questions are what do we do with Albert?" Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "We talk about whether to keep walking him or not. I can't keep walking Albert."

Unless Roenicke comes up with a better idea, Pujols won't be his problem for much longer.