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| Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he may be available for Game 7, especially if the weather pushes games back. Carpenter suggests that he is ready for anything manager Tony La Russa asks him to do. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images |
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher and ace Chris Carpenter has been the rock of the Cardinals miraculous post-season run.
Although unable to come through victorious in the Cardinals 4-2 Game 5 loss to the Texas Rangers, Carpenter was stellar on the hill once again in a crucial spot. Carpenter tossed seven solid innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs while leaving with the game tied 2-2.
Carpenter threw 101 pitches on the night and despite the high pitch count and the 267.1 innings he has worked this season, Carpenter suggested that he would make himself available in a possible Game 7 match-up. Carpenter told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he would be available for whatever manager Tony La Russa needs him to do.
"I think everybody is available for the rest of the year, don't you?"Game 7 is currently scheduled for Thursday night in Busch Stadium if needed , meaning Carpenter would be appearing in Game 7 in some capacity on just two days of rest.
But the weather forecast in St. Louis, Missouri for the next couple of days does not look too promising, making it possible for games to be moved back a day. If Game 7 needs to be played and that happens on Friday, Carpenter could make the start on three days of rest.
This is good news for all baseball fans and here is why.
Texas Rangers fans would be happy to see Carpenter on short rest. Carpenter has made just one start in his career on three days rest and that was this post-season against the Philadelphia Phillies. Carpenter did not fare well, lasting just three innings while allowing four earned runs in Game 2 of the NLDS.
For the casual baseball fans, another Carpenter appearance would provide the opportunity to see the big guy yell at another opponent. Carpenter has built a reputation as a "hot head," which was clearly on display in Game 5 when Carpenter yelled obscenities at Rangers catcher Mike Napoli, an event that caught a lot of national attention.
Finally, it would be good news for Cardinals fans. Carpenter is clearly the heart and soul of this pitching staff. Carpenter is adored by Cardinals fans for his tough attitude. He is the club's horse and leader. He is their best starting pitcher on normal rest, three days rest, or on zero rest.
La Russa and Cardinals fans would prefer nobody other than Bob Gibson on the hill in Game 7 of a World Series game and if the "Weather Gods" cooperate, it may just happen.
So, possibly, with a Cardinals Game 6 victory and some inopportune St. Louis weather, Carpenter could make one more appearance in this year's Fall Classic, which would be a good thing for Cardinals fans and baseball.
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