| Can the Cardinals win the World Series this year? | | | | National League and his 17-4 record clearly shows |
| After a remarkable run in 2006 that gave the | | | | that he's been responsible for a big chunk of the |
| franchise its first World Series in over 20 years, | | | | Cardinals' wins. |
| the St. Louis Cardinals have been absent from the | | | | Behind Carpenter is Adam Wainwright, also in the |
| post season during the last two seasons of | | | | midst of an incredible season. With a 19-8 record |
| baseball. One has to wonder if part of the reason | | | | and a 2.63 earned run average, Wainwright is right |
| for the team's regression may have to do with | | | | behind Carpenter in terms of the intimidation |
| the fact that Chris Carpenter, the team's ace, | | | | factor. |
| missed nearly two full seasons with injury in 2007 | | | | No team wants to face these guys in a seven |
| and 2008. | | | | game series. When you consider the fact that |
| Well, Carpenter was back in 2009, and to the | | | | five of these games could be played against |
| surprise of many he was just as good as before. | | | | these two pitchers, there's no reason that the |
| Some could say he's even been better this | | | | Cardinals can't emerge in the National League. This |
| season. With some of the best stats in the | | | | is arguably the best combination of two pitchers |
| league, Carpenter has simply been lights out. His | | | | in baseball (only Lincecum and Cain may be better |
| 2.24 earned run average is the best in the | | | | this year). |