Chris Carpenter confident of overcoming Yovani Gallardo in NLCS Game 3 – MLB Update
Chris Carpenter is confident of halting the aggressive line-up of Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series scheduled for Wednesday, October 12 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis Missouri and subsequently taking the St. Louis Cardinals
to a 2-1 lead in the seven-game series.
Widely tipped as the best pitcher on the circuit as far as technique is concerned, Carpenter proved his mettle against Philadelphia Phillies’ ace Roy Halladay in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, shutting down the NL stalwarts 1-0 and consequently allowing
the Wild Card entrants to qualify for the pennant race. Carpenter will aim for something similar, if not more, against the gusty Brewers.
Although Carpenter was labelled a ‘phony’ by Milwaukee’s starter Zack Greinke before the NLCS, his postseason statistics suggest otherwise. He has an impressive 6-2 win-loss record in the playoffs at an earned-run average of 2.94 and stamped his authority
on the mound with a win against league’s best pitcher Halladay in the ALDS-winning Game 5.
Dismissing Greinke’s remarks, Carpenter said, "He doesn't know me, he's never been a teammate of mine, he can say what he wants."
Cardinals’ ace has worked his way to this point and is aware of the fact that if he does not clear out distractions before his start, he will have augmented problems on the mound.
The Brewers counter with Yovani Gallardo, the only consistent starter for the team in the postseason thus far. In 21 innings during the playoffs, Gallardo has leaked runs at an average of 0.86 and impressed in his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in
the NL Division Series. Although he earned a no decision for his performance, he allowed just one run in six innings of immaculate pitching.
Nevertheless, his form against the Redbirds has not been satisfactory. A 1-7 win-loss record looms the starter as he prepares to take the mound against one of the more technically sound pitchers. However, Gallardo emphasised that statistics do not matter
when on the mound.
Praising Carpenter, Gallardo said, "We all know what kind of pitcher he is. He has great stuff and obviously he's had great success. It should be a pretty exciting game.”
Given recent form and confidence, the impetus seems to be tilted towards Carpenter.
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