World Series Rain Delay May Allow Cardinals To Start Chris Carpenter In Game 7

With the World Series games delayed a day due to rain, the St. Louis Cardinals could ask ace pitcher Chris Carpenter to pitch on three days rest if they can force a Game 7, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa declined to officially name his starter, but Carpenter would be the logical choice in a must-win game with no tomorrow.  With the Cardinals currently down 3-2 in the series, Game 6 is also a must-win, of course, but -- according to Rosenthal -- La Russa's comments make it sound like it's one they must win without their ace.

“We will not jeopardize an arm,” La Russa said. “It seems like a push to think that he could contribute anything (in Game 6) without jeopardizing his career. Three days rest, I mean, (we’ve) already done that. So we’d all feel better about 7 if we needed him.”

The three days rest that La Russa refers to came in Game 2 of the Division Series. It was Carpenter's first time pitching on short rest, and he was able to contribute only three innings.