Jeff Roberson / AP

Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols is cementing his status as the best in the game right now, writes NBCSports.com contributor Tony DeMarco.

“There’s no such thing as a perfect ballplayer,” Pujols said. “There are things about my game I’d like to improve. Like the strikeouts. I’d like to have no strikeouts. Or the ball I let go through my legs (on Sunday).”

OK, Albert, so would you settle for one of the top players of all-time?

“Why have that pressure? I don’t think about that,” Pujols said. “I go out and play. I’ve always said there will be time at the end of my career to look at the numbers. I try to enjoy the ride, and I’ll look at the numbers at the end.”

Ah, but there is one Pujols league-leading number we haven’t mentioned yet, and this one isn’t necessarily a good thing: 71 walks.

That means only one thing — the question of “Why are we pitching to this guy?” is being asked more and more in opposing dugouts around the NL. And as the season’s importance ramps up, Pujols will get fewer opportunities to do damage.

“Oh, that is going to happen,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “But it’s not just about getting Albert out. It’s about getting the guys in front of him out. It’s like our situation with Manny (Ramirez). It’s the guys in front of him who you have to get. Because if they get on, you can’t do anything but pitch to Manny.”

Pujols — ever the good teammate —in effect says, “Bring it on.”

“I don’t care if they do (walk him). That could help our team win,” he said. “We have other guys with great abilities. Yadier (Molina) and (Ryan) Ludwick will make them pay. (Rick) Ankiel and (Chris) Duncan won’t struggle in the second half like they did in the first. I’ll take my chances. So go ahead and give me the free passes.”

But then again, with son A.J by his side, Pujols was asked what position the boy plays. And Pujols said, “Everywhere but pitcher. He wants to pitch, but I told him, ‘It’s better to hit the ball over the fence than to have one hit over the fence off you.’ ”

He would know.

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Tony Gutierrez / AP

More heroics from Hamilton

Josh Hamilton fights off illness to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Angels win as Pujols HR streak up to 3 games

SEATTLE (AP) - Albert Pujols hit a home run in his third straight game and pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo came through with a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

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