There’s something you have to understand about St. Louis. This is a baseball town. Always has been, always will be. When the Redbirds take the field each night, this town lives and dies with each swing of the bat.

This is St. Louis, where baseball isn’t for fun, it’s for life.

This is St. Louis, where in 2006 we opened the new Busch Stadium with a World Championship—fitting for a place known as “Baseball Heaven.” This is St. Louis, where in 2007 and 2008, we were both humiliated and furious when that team from Chicago, the one that hasn’t won a championship in over 100 years, finished ahead of us in the National League Central and enjoyed post-season berths.

On Wednesday night, April 14, I joined 35,000 of my closest friends to watch the St. Louis Cardinals take on the winless Houston Astros. We enjoyed hotdogs and Budweisers and serenaded each other with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” We also won 2-1.

I’m open to debate as to whether or not there may be a better team in the majors. But let me tell you that you’re wrong. I can sum up my argument in two words: the Machine.

Albert Pujols is undeniably the best player to hit the diamond in the last decade, perhaps even in several decades. Fans here in St. Louis have always been treated to great baseball players (Stan Musial, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith, to name a few), but lately we’ve been spoiled by El Hombre’s ability to put on an effortless show and keep his team in contention year after year after year. Trust me, MVP Award No. 4 is well on its way.

In fact, Pujols’ best competition for the award could very well come from fellow Card, Matt Holliday. Holliday, plus sophomore Colby Rasmus and Gold Glove recipient Yadier Molina, could be the best hitting lineup in the National League. Not to mention future Hall of Famer Tony LaRussa also has Gold Glove candidate Brendan Ryan and Skip Shumaker on his scorecard. Again, I’m up for debate, but name me a better lineup, one with the same potency, agility and versatility.

Let’s not forget the Cardinals also feature the best 1-2 pitching punch in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Arguably, Carpenter should be a two-time Cy Young Award winner and Wainwright finished third in last year’s balloting. With the addition of Brad Penny and newcomer Jaime Garcia, the Gateway’s finest may also have the best pitching in the league, certainly in the NL.

Sit back and watch the Birds on the bat go boom. No. 11, here we come.