St. Louis Cardinals’ Chris Carpenter to start Game 2 against Philadelphia Phillies – MLB News
Chris Carpenter has been named to start Game 2 of the National League Division Series for St. Louis Cardinals as they face the Philadelphia Phillies scheduled for Sunday, October 2.
But therein lies something rare for Carpenter. Having started his career in 1997, this will be the first ever start for the Cardinals pitcher in any post-season game.
When the news came to him, not only did it excite him but also bring him a lot of surprise as well. "Really? I've never done it?" Carpenter said.
Carpenter’s name, however, had no element of surprise for the experts. He had been the most instrumental part of the Cardinals to pitch the Houston Astros out (106-pitch and 11 strikeouts), to help the team qualify for the post-season series.
But before he would be picked, team manager Tony La Russa deemed it necessary to inquire with the pitcher if he was prepared to take up the charge, something that a player of his calibre will always reciprocate with a positive answer.
He agreed to it. "I told them I felt good and that I still have something left in the tank," Carpenter said. "I feel good, I feel strong and I feel good about the situation we're in."
Part of the reason why Russa thought Carpenter must be approached before being named for the Game 2 was because the former thought that latter had a stressful game against the Houston Astros.
"He had the kind of game [against Houston] that was not a stressful game. I don't mean because of the score; I mean because his delivery was in sync."
With all the excitement that Chris Carpenter currently has, he is undeniably faced with a challenge that he must flawlessly execute. Facing the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that has remained undefeated so far Carpenter has a lot at stake and a tremendous
opportunity to show off his brilliance that has brought him and the team in the post-season series. It will be interesting to see what impact Carpenter will have for his team in the playoffs.
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