PITTSBURGH -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa will admit the National League's muddled playoff picture is good for the game.

"The more teams in contention, the more fans are staying with the game instead of going to college or pro football," La Russa said.

He will, of course, then admit he wants no part of the confusion. But coming off a pair of 100-win seasons, the Cardinals find themselves in a legitimate playoff race for the first time since 2003.

The Cardinals entered Sunday's finale with the Pirates just 2 1/2 games ahead of second-place Cincinnati in the NL Central and owners of 62-54 record that most seasons would have found them in the middle of the division's pack.

What most troubles La Russa is the lack of any semblance of consistency from his club. The Cardinals are coming off a pair of losses to the Pirates, who have the NL's worst record, and twice have endured eight-game losing streaks.

"You have to be concerned when you keep trying to get into the right gear and you're not getting there enough," La Russa said.

But through it all, they have clenched onto their division lead, leading some to believe that a sense of complacency could envelop the Redbirds.

"You don't want to look at it that way," Jason Marquis said. "You don't want to sit back and say, 'Alright, we've got the lead, the other teams are struggling.' ... We want to put this away as quick as possible."

A season that doesn't see the Cardinals with a double-digit August lead can certainly add a little spice, though.

"Absolutely," Jeff Suppan said. "The goal is to win as many as we can obviously, but every year is different. The situation [this year] definitely changes things."

Rolen back in lineup: The Cardinals considered keeping Scott Rolen out until returning home on Tuesday, but the third baseman's back felt fine during a pregame workout on Sunday and he was given the start.

Rolen had been out since upper back spasms forced him to leave Wednesday's game in Cincinnati.

Mulder start date? Mark Mulder's third rehab start will likely come on Thursday at Double-A Springfield, though the team has yet to make a final decision.

La Russa said on Sunday they are still deciding whether to give Mulder four or five days rest. He ruled out sending Mulder to Triple-A Memphis, which will be on the West Coast next week, and Springfield will be in Texas on Wednesday. So a Thursday start for the Class A Palm Beach Cardinals at home looks to be the safe bet.

The Cardinals will be looking for the 29-year-old left-hander to fix a mechanical flaw that saw his arm slot suddenly drop during the third inning of his start on Friday at Triple-A Memphis, and to build on his 71-pitch total. Barring an unforeseen incident, he should rejoin the club's rotation following his start this week.

"I would possibly think so, but you never know," Mulder said.

Belliard pressing? The Cardinals knew what they were getting when they acquired Ronnie Belliard from the Indians before last month's trading deadline.

But has Belliard's efforts to make an instant impression on his new club been the root of the second baseman's recent troubles at the plate?

"I think so," La Russa said.

Since joining the Redbirds on Aug. 1, Belliard is just 7-for-40 and 2-for-9 with runners in scoring positon. That this is a player who is coming off two terrific seasons with the Indians and was hitting .291 when he came to the Cardinals this season gives the Cardinals little reason to worry, though.

"He's a proven clutch performer, so you just have to let him get into a good groove," La Russa said."

Cardinals extras: The Cardinals' rotation is still not set for this week's Cincinnati series. Thursday's starter is undecided, with the possibility existing that Jeff Weaver will be pushed up into Jeff Suppan's slot. ... The Cardinals have lost seven of their last eight games against left-handed starters. ... After hitting just 15 doubles in the season's first half, Albert Pujols' 10 doubles since the All-Star break rank him second in the league.

Up next: The Cardinals will get their second shot in less than a week to cushion their tenuous lead over the Reds in the NL Central as they return home for the opener of a three-game set on Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. CT at Busch Stadium. Chris Carpenter (10-6, 3.27 ERA) will be opposed by Aaron Harang (12-7, 3.66 ERA).