Buried in this St. Louis Post-Dispatch article is this curious quote from Cardinals infielder Ryan Theriot:

The Cardinals led the division until July 27, four days before the Furcal acquisition. Speaking only about his own role, Theriot noted, "When I was playing shortstop we were in first place. I know that. It is what it is."

The Cardinals were 57-50 (.533) before Rafael Furcal was acquired and he displaced Theriot as the starting shortstop. They're 26-19 (.578) since. Looks like they've improved. Oh, and there's the little matter of the Brewers being 30-14 in that time span, probably a bigger reason the Cardinals aren't in first place now.