Chris Carpenter didn't have his best stuff Wednesday but did enough to help the Cardinals to a win, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings in a 4-3 victory over the Brewers. It was apparent early on that Carp wasn't going to dominate as he did in Game 5 of the NLDS, as he just didn't have a consistent feel for his secondary pitches. But, he was able to hang in there for five innings, striking out Rickie Weeks on a 3-2 pitch with two on and two out in the fifth. He'll pitch Game 7 if there is one, and the odds are good that he'll be much sharper.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is willing to pitch Chris Carpenter on short rest in Game 7 of the NLCS if Game 3 is postponed. Rain is in the forecast on Wednesday in St. Louis. If that game were postponed until Thursday, an off-day would be eliminated between Games 5 and 6, meaning only a three-day rest period for a starter who would pitch in Games 3 and 7. Carpenter was used on short rest in Game 2 of the NLDS, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over just three innings in a no-decision against the Phillies. "I know that Milwaukee and St. Louis do not want to get rained out [Wednesday] and pitch any one of our guys on three days' rest," La Russa said. "But, that being said, I wouldn't hesitate if he comes out of it, he's healthy. After watching him in Philadelphia, it was all about his delivery being off. Like [pitching coach Dave Duncan] said, he warmed up right, he had good command and he went out there and like it happens, just a little out of whack."

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Chris Carpenter is the third pitcher in MLB history to throw a 1-0 shutout in a series clinching game. Being shut out is uncommon for the Phillies as they were held scoreless in just seven games during the regular season. Carpenter registered an 84 on the Bill James Game Score scale which is tied for the second-highest Game Score in a winner-take-all game. His teams are now 9-2 in his 11 career postseason starts.

Chris Carpenter pitched a three hit shutout in the Cardinals Game 5 NLDS upset over Philadelphia. Carpenter put together a brilliant pitching performance after struggling mightily in Game 2, allowing three hits and striking out three over nine innings. The lone run was scored by the Cardinals in the top of the first inning and would be all the offense they would need. The heavily favored Phillies never challenged Carpenter outside of a Chase Utley fly out to deep center in the ninth. Ryan Howard grounded out to end the game and appeared to have injured his ankle coming out of the batter's box.

Chris Carpenter struggled mightily in Game Two of the NLDS Sunday, giving up four runs on five hits and three walks over just three innings in a no-decision against the Phillies. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa decided to roll the dice with Carpenter pitching on short rest and the gamble didn't pay off, though his bullpen ended up erasing that mistake. It was Carpenter's first career start on fewer than four days rest. Carpenter, however, could take the hill for Game Five on full rest if the series goes that far. Carpenter needed 56 pitches to get through two innings and Fernando Salas was already warming up with two outs in the second. Carpenter finished the third and was pulled for pinch-hitter Nick Punto, who struck out. La Russa was furious about the umpiring, blasting home plate umpire Jerry Meals in a mid-game interview with TBS, saying that Cliff Lee and Carpenter were pitching to two different strike zones. Carpenter's three-inning start was the shortest by a Cardinal in the playoffs since Woody Williams' seven-out implosion in Game One of the 2004 World Series. The Cardinals rallied back thanks to their bullpen, which combined with Carpenter to retire

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa announced Friday Chris Carpenter will start game two of the NLDS on short rest, bumping originally scheduled starter Edwin Jackson to game four. Kyle Lohse will still take the ball in game one, while Jaime Garcia will start in game three, but La Russa has wisely decided it would be best to get his ace on the mound as soon as possible. Rather amazingly, it will be Carpenter's first career start on fewer than four days rest. The move also means the Cardinals could start Carpenter in a potential game five on full rest. Carpenter threw eight shutout innings in Philadelphia against a Phillies team that had already locked up a playoff spot on September 18, but the circumstances will obviously be much different this time around. He'll be opposed by Cliff Lee, who did not face the Cardinals during their four-game swing through Citizens Bank Park two weeks ago.

Chris Carpenter will start Game 3 of the NLDS. St. Louis would certainly rather throw Carpenter in Game 1 against Roy Halladay, but the veteran right-hander threw a nine-inning shutout Wednesday night against the Astros to secure the Cardinals' postseason berth. And so he'll need a normal amount of rest heading into his first October start.

Buoyed by five first inning Cardinal runs, Chris Carpenter had his best start of the season Wednesday, striking out 11 in a two-hit shutout of the Astros, as the Cardinals pulled out an 8-0 victory to hold serve with the Braves in the National League Wild Card race. Carpenter was overpowering in his second shutout of the month and 15th of his career, never allowing a runner past first base as he surrendered just two singles. The 11 strikeouts were a season high, while the nine innings give him 237 1/3 on the year. That's the second highest total of his career, and the most for any National League pitcher this season. If the Cardinals eventually advance to the NLDS, Carpenter will get the Phillies in game three in St. Louis.

Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is back with the team. Duncan spent the entire month of September with his wife, who underwent major surgery for a brain tumor in late August. His presence should provide a nice boost for Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter, who is taking the mound in Wednesday's regular season finale against the Astros with a chance of locking up the National League Wild Card. Bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist had been filling in.

Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is expected to rejoin the team for Wednesday's season finale. Duncan has been away from the team for over a month to be with his wife, who underwent surgery for a brain tumor. Bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist has been filling in.