Tony La Russa tinkers with Cardinals’ lineup

Unlike his counterpart Charlie Manuel, Tony La Russa has been more prone to make lineup changes. And once again, the Cardinals manager came up with a new one for tonight's elimination game with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies righthander Roy Halladay will oppose his good friend Chris Carpenter in tonight's 8:37 p.m. decisive Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park.

With the best-of-five series tied at two games apiece, La Russa is giving versatile Skip Schumaker his first start in center field during the series.

For the Cardinals, shortstop Rafael Furcal will lead off, followed by Skip Schumaker, CF; Albert Pujols, 1B; Lance Berkman, RF; Matt Holliday, LF; Yadier Molina, C; David Freese, 3B; Nick Punto, 2B; and Chris Carpenter, pitching.

Jon Jay had started the previous four games in center. But Jay is batting just .182 (2 for 11).

Schumaker, who bats lefthanded, started Game 1 and Game 4 at second base. This series he is batting .625 (5 for 8) with two RBIs. Schumaker also pinch hit in Game 2 and was inserted as a defensive replacement center during Game 3, making a sensational diving catch on a ball hit by Carlos Ruiz.

"I went back and looked at the at-bats that Jon has had against Halladay, and he's very smart, very adaptable," La Russa said in tonight's pregame press conference. "He's just gotten worked over."

In the regular season, Jay is 1 for 8 lifetime against Halladay. During Game 1, when Halladay allowed three runs in eight innings of an 11-6 win, Jay went 0 for 3 with a strikeout against the Phillies righthander.

La Russa continued his lineup explanation.

"Then you have Nick (Punto) who has some experience against him, got a couple hits, plus he has done very well against the Phillies in his career," La Russa said.

Punto is 4 for 14 lifetime in the regular season against Halladay with an RBI. A former Phillie, Punto is 7 for 18 lifetime against the Phils (.389) with one home run and four RBIs.

"You know, you get an extra defensive player, and Skip can do anything in the outfield," La Russa said. "That is the reason."

La Russa was asked if Game 3 starter Jaime Garcia, who pitched seven innings and took the loss in Tuesday's 3-2 defeat, would be available. A lefthander, Garcia threw exactly 100 pitches.

"I think (it is) much more than likely to use regular relievers in the game, but if you had to go into those – (Kyle) Lohse is the most rested and I'm sure could do a good job," La Russa said. "Jaime is to get a lefthander, just be a third lefthander if it comes up that way."

One of La Russa's best friends in the game is Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, whose team advanced to the American League Championship Series after winning Thursday's elimination game, 3-2 with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

The two talked after the Tigers advanced to play the Texas Rangers in the ALCS.

"One thing we have in common is that the home club – there are a lot of expectations," he said of the Yankees and Phillies. "They've got a great club representing the league and that's a tough burden, but we also agree that they have Roy Halladay."

Enough said.

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225, mnarducci@phillynews.com, or @sjnard on Twitter.