2011 MLB Playoff Schedule: Cardinals Need Chris Carpenter to Stay Hot

There was a time when Chris Carpenter was one of the most dominant starting pitchers not just in the National League, but in the majors.

At times during the 2011 season, it appeared that those days were officially in the past. Carpenter was solid enough, but he had games here and there where he just didn't seem to be fooling anyone. He looked nothing like the pitcher who won the Cy Young in 2005.

September, on the other hand, was another story. Carpenter finished the month with a 3-0 record and a 2.15 ERA, and his final three starts saw him pitch 24 innings and allow just one earned run. The last of these was a complete game, two-hit shutout at Houston that ultimately propelled the Cardinals into the playoffs.

On Sunday night, the Cardinals will be counting on Carpenter for yet another big-time performance. Thanks to an 11-6 loss in Game 1, the Cardinals are in a 1-0 hole against the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series. Carpenter must pitch well, lest the Cardinals head back to St. Louis in a 2-0 hole.

To boot, Carpenter will be pitching on just three days of rest, something he has never done in his career.

The good news is that the Cardinals can take it for granted that Carpenter is not going to be afraid of the moment. Moreover, they have the comfort of knowing that Carpenter was simply brilliant the last time he pitched at Citizens Bank Park.

That was back on September 18th. Carpenter went eight innings, scattering eight hits and a walk while striking out five. He did not allow an earned run, and the Cardinals won 5-0.

A similar performance should do the trick for the Cardinals. And in all likelihood, they're going to need it, as Carpenter will be opposed by Cliff Lee, he of the 17-8 record and 2.40 ERA.

Make no mistake about it. Against pitchers like Roy Halladay, Lee and Cole Hamels, Philly's opponents are forced to walk a tightrope. Kyle Lohse did a fine job of walking it for a few innings in Game 1, but he was unable to keep it up.

Carpenter needs to succeed where he failed. Philly's offense can be explosive, but it can also be beat given the right circumstances. All it takes is a good pitching performance and the right amount of luck.

If Carpenter can produce on both fronts, the Cardinals are going home with a split. We will also officially have ourselves a series.