(Best E Casino) - Starter Kyle Lohse didn't get the alleged $40 million deal over four years he and his agent were originally seeking, so the St. Louis Cardinals made out like bandits in acquiring the pitcher's services at a bargain rate.

Lohse eventually signed a one-year deal worth a reported $4.25 million in early March because his brilliant agent, Scott Boras, believed his client was worth about $10 million a season.

Are you kidding me? What were you smoking, Mr. Boras?

Talk about scaring off potential suitors.

Unless Boras was going over Lohse's contract terms through clouds of smoke with rapper Snoop Dogg, the super-agent was way off in what the right-hander is worth. But remember, that was more than three months ago, and Lohse is one of the hottest pitchers in the big leagues right now.

Is he worth $10 million a year at 9-2? Not over my dead body. Is he earning every penny of that early March deal? You bet.

Lohse has been a model of consistency since the 2008 season began, having opened the campaign 3-0 with a 2.36 earned run average through his first six trips to the mound. He then lost two of his next four starts before becoming the topic of this St. Louis team report. Over the previous eight outings, the Chico, CA native is 6-0 with a sparkling 1.95 ERA, and hasn't pitched less than five innings during his recent streak of success.

The right-hander displayed his mettle at Fenway Park on Friday night against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Lohse allowed a pair of runs, one of which was earned, and six hits in six innings of a 5-4 victory to improve to 9-2 with a 3.63 ERA over 16 starts.

"Loshie pitched, for me, probably the best game of the year," Cardinals outfielder Skip Schumaker said. "That lineup is one of the best in all the big leagues. He was so impressive and dominant. I'm not surprised anymore, because I've seen him do it again and again, time after time."

Lohse is also approaching a personal milestone as he is expected to pick up double-digit wins in 2008 for the first time since going 14-11 with a 4.61 earned run average in 33 starts during the 2003 campaign as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Lohse, who constructed a 9-12 record and a 4.62 ERA while splitting last season between Cincinnati and Philadelphia, has made at least 30 starts in five of the last six seasons. He is slated to take the hill on Wednesday night in the second installment of a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Lohse is 7-6 with a 5.74 earned run average in 19 career games (18 starts) against the Tigers.

WHO'S HOT

Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick has been enjoying his time on the road, as he sports a .333 batting average (11-for-33) with three homers, nine runs scored and 10 RBI in his last eight games as the guest.

Third baseman Troy Glaus owns seven home runs this month, and has gone deep three times in his last 10 games. Glaus started his first season with the Cardinals in a cold spell, only to revive his game to the tune of 10 homers, 47 runs batted in and a .260 batting average.

WHO'S NOT

Cardinals recovering pitcher Mark Mulder hit another snag in his return to the big leagues because of a stiff back. Mulder, out since late last season after two shoulder surgeries, was planning on a rehab assignment for Triple-A Memphis Monday night.

Instead, the left-hander had his stint in the minors scratched, and is now listed as day-to-day and could still be activated off the disabled list this weekend. The left-handed Mulder even changed his delivery style to sidearm rather than an over-the-ear approach.

Mulder went 0-3 with a 12.27 earned run average in three starts last season, one year after recording a 6-7 mark and 7.14 ERA in 17 outings.

ON DECK

The St. Louis Cardinals kicked off their nine-game road trip by winning two of three games against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Now St. Louis is preparing to open a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers, starting Tuesday, at Comerica Park.

St. Louis (44-33), which is 21-16 on the road this season, will wrap up its swing with three games against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. It is also 4 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs for NL Central supremacy.