Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said that if the Cardinals have a lead in the ninth inning on Saturday, Perez would likely be the choice to pick up the save. Ryan Franklin, who has been closing with Jason Isringhausen on the disabled list, was considered unavailable following a taxing assignment on Friday.

Perez got two big eighth-inning outs with a one-run lead in that game, retiring the Dodgers' Nos. 3 and 4 hitters. Franklin came in to pitch the ninth, throwing 33 pitches for the save -- interrupted by a 65-minute rain delay.

"It doesn't feel different [from the day after a normal outing]," Franklin said. "I'm probably a little more sore than I normally would be, but I think that has to do with the 65-minute rain delay. If I would have gone 32, 33 pitches without an hour in between, I think I would be all right. I bounce back pretty good."

Still, Franklin was told before the game that he would not be used except in an absolute emergency. That leaves the Cardinals without an obvious closer. And while Russ Springer has experience and Kyle McClellan is having an excellent year, La Russa indicated that Perez would be the favorite to do the job.

"Based on what he's shown, if it sets up, I wouldn't hesitate to use Perez," La Russa said. "Springer's got a lot of rest, so he can pitch early. McClellan is rested. If they have left-handers, [I'll] think about [Randy] Flores. We're in pretty good shape. But the point is, I wouldn't hesitate to use Perez."

The rookie right-hander is considered the Cardinals' closer of the future.