Jake Westbrook’s return awaited, St. Louis Cardinals look to Chris Carpenter – MLB News
As the Wild Card race intensifies, the St. Louis Cardinals hope they do not lose their starter Jake Westbrook for rest of the games in the season. Westbrook has not pitched since September 8, which is quite problematic for the Cardinals.
Cardinals had to rely on the rookie pitcher Joe Kelly to make a start. Given that Chris Carpenter has to throw a simulated game on Saturday before it is determined whether or not he can return, the club hopes Westbrook will not have a big issue due to his right oblique strain.
Westbrook had to see a doctor on Thursday. As for what the team manager Mike Matheny thinks about the possible return, he is quite unsure about it as he also awaits the result of the exams the pitcher had to undergo.
St. Louis currently have a four-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates, a series contender for the Wild Card. The challenges abound, especially for the rotation which will be looking to their experienced pitchers at this point in time.
The Cardinals, nonetheless, are looking forward to the returning of Chris Carpenter, the ace who was earlier thought to be out due to thoracic outlet syndrome and had to go through surgery.
With Westbrook’s return apparently tentative, the Cardinals will be a stronger team defensively provided Carpenter makes a comeback on the mound. Jason Motte, the club’s closer is one of the players knows the significance Carpenter’s return has at the time of this Wild Card race.
“He was a horse down the stretch and in the playoffs," Motte said. "That Game 5 against the Phillies and Doc, I don't know how a lot of people would have reacted to being in that situation, but he welcomed it with open arms. Last year, watching him down the stretch and everything he was able to do for this ballclub, if it wasn't for him, we don't do what we did."
If Westbrook is given the green signal and if Carpenter also makes a return, the Cardinals will be a very tough contender to grapple with.
St. Louis will be looking to make an aggressive push as the season is coming to an end. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top for the Wild Card slot.
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