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| Chris Carpenter will be the opening day starter for the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday as the MLB regular season begins on Thursday at Busch Stadium. Photo courtesy of canada.com |
With co-ace Adam Wainwright out for the season with Tommy John surgery, Carpenter might have to carry a bigger load than he is use to.
Something that Carpenter says he feels he is ready to do.
"I feel fabulous. I really do," Carpenter said. "I haven't felt this good — in years."
Carpenter's words are news to Cardinals fans ears as hist next start will be opening day of the regular season as the Cardinals are set to face the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium.
A spring of turmoil for the organization included a stint of injury by Carpenter, who missed a couple starts with a strained hamstring.
But after Saturday's performance, Carpenter's last during spring training, signs point that Carpenter is correct and looks to be ready.
Carpenter tossed 6 innings on Saturday afternoon in his last tune-up, scattering 9 hits and 3 runs while striking out 3.
Carpenter also managed to put together a quality start after a shaky beginning to the game that saw Carpenter escape a first inning, bases loaded jam.
Carpenter says the experience provides proof that he is ready for Thursday.
"It was great," Carpenter said. "Leadoff guy gets a ball the other way, [Omar] Infante a hard line drive, Hanley [Ramirez] a little end-of-the-bat loop, and the next thing you know it's bases loaded and it could be a big inning. But experience brings you to [realize], there's nothing I can do but continue to make and execute pitches and try to stay out of a big inning. And I was able to do that with a popup and double play."
Carpenter is a bulldog and he will have to be during all of 2011 for the Cardinals to compete for the N.L. Central division title.
It's hard to believe, but many feel that Carpenter will need to better his 16-9 record and 3.22 ERA that he posted in 2010.
Carpenter says he's ready.
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