After tough Sunday, Polanco rests vs. Cards

ST. LOUIS -- Gregory Polanco was not in the lineup on Monday night, given a day of rest, according to manager Clint Hurdle.

But considering that the rookie outfielder had most of the day off last Tuesday (until a pinch-hitting appearance in the ninth) after having played in his first 19 games, there could be more to the absence.

Hurdle may have wanted to play one of the players freshly chosen for the National League All-Star team by Cards skipper Mike Matheny -- thus having Josh Harrison start in right -- but most likely, Hurdle wanted to spare Polanco the humbling education of facing Adam Wainwright.

After Polanco went 0-for-4 on Sunday facing A.J. Burnett's off-speed wizardry, with his first career three-strikeout game, it was a good time for him to just sit and watch a "master craftsman," as Hurdle characterized Wainwright.

"He's along the lines of David Price, with a different skill set," said Hurdle, citing the Tampa Bay lefty, who mastered the Bucs on June 25. "From the other dugout, you see a guy who's very confident on the mound."