Chris Carpenter to start Game 5 for St. Louis Cardinals – MLB Playoffs
Chris Carpenter has been slated to start the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, October 7. Carpenter will be facing his old friend and former team-mate Roy Halladay.
The Philadelphia Phillies who were expected to have a smooth ride and easily win the NLDS games have faced stiff resistance and at times, insurmountable challenges by the Cardinals so far. That is the reason why the series has entered into the fifth game.
But for all the right reasons, Friday’s game will be a blueprint of a tough battle involving the two pitchers par excellence.
"I mean, it's a dream matchup, because the two guys are great -- you can't ask for anything scripted better than that," La Russa said.
Chris Carpenter proved a little costly for the team in the Game 2 when he gave up three runs, unable to hold off the otherwise strong Phillies’ offence. But despite having been initially under tremendous pressure, the Cardinals staged a comeback and won
it 5-4.
Carpenter had reasons that, according to him, factored into what came to pass in Game 2. Nonetheless, he is all ready to compensate for what he could not effectively do in the first encounter against the Phillies.
"My shoulder, elbow, body -- everything felt good. But mechanically, I wasn't as sharp as I would have liked, and mentally, I wasn't as sharp as I would have like." he said. "I wasn't locating, and that was a lack of concentration."
For him, facing Halladay was a great experience. Having been friends in the Minor and Major Leagues in the 90’s with the Toronto Blue Jays, Carpenter has a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Halladay.
With both players ready to put their team on the winning stand on Friday, it will be interesting to see how Carpenter does what he is expected to do. The Cardinals will be looking to Carpenter to lead them in Game 5 and put in a tremendous performance for
a decisive victory over the Phillies.
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