Chris Carpenter to start in NLDS Game 3 against the Washington Nationals – NLDS Update
St. Louis Cardinals have named Chris Carpenter to start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals. The five-game series now stands tied by 1-1 as the Cardinals scored a decisive 12-4 win in Monday’s Game 2.
Carpenter has an incredible 9-2 record in the postseason games with 3.05 ERA. His expertise and record will be put into effective use here at Washington.
The series now moves to Washington where the road trip will be tremendously challenging for the Cardinals. Carpenter, who was instrumental in the team’s majestic wins and eventual World Series championship title, will be playing a key role here as well.
Cardinals had made it to the World Series through the Wild Card berth last year. This year, it was once again the Wild Card that brought them here. Now that they are facing one of the best teams of the National League, the morale is high.
What adds to the team’s spirit is the remarkable defensive and offensive combination. The rotation, in particular, has been the source of strength for the club since the second half of the 2012 Major League Baseball season.
Carpenter’s return, just like that of Adam Wainwright last year from Tommy John Surgery, is reassuring for the Cardinals. That is what Carlos Beltran pointed to while speaking about team’s morale.
He said, "Having Carp back after all those months of rehabbing is great. He knows how to pitch in the postseason. Lohse pitched very well in Atlanta [in the Wild Card showdown], and Wainwright, he's a horse. He didn't start the season like he wanted coming off Tommy John surgery, but in the second half, he was unbelievable. We've all seen what he can do in the postseason."
There are others who have the same view.
"You won't find a more fierce competitor than Chris Carpenter," Descalso said. "He's won a Cy Young, pitched in so many big games. It was nice to see a veteran leader step up and make a speech like that before the series starts."
With Carpenter on the mound, and series standing at 1-1, it will be thoroughly interesting to see how the Cardinals fare in the Game 3 of the NLDS.
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