MLB World Series 2011: Why St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter Will Win MVP

Chris Carpenter was spectacular in the St. Louis Cardinals' Game 1 win over the Texas Rangers in the 2011 World Series.

Both teams put on a pitching clinic at Busch Stadium on Wednesday night, the Cardinals edging out the Rangers narrowly with a 3-2 victory.

Carpenter went six full innings while allowing just two runs on a Mike Napoli homer in the fifth, and got the win over Rangers' ace C.J. Wilson, who allowed only three runs in five and two-thirds innings.

Carpenter's cool head and strong arm on the mound will without a doubt have been and will continue to be the key for St. Louis this October.

The 36-year-old has been superb this postseason for the Cardinals, recording three wins and allowing only nine runs in 23 innings pitched.

Without Carpenter's services, St. Louis would likely have been watching from home while the 102-win Philadelphia Phillies hosted Game 1 of the World Series.

Carpenter put together a masterful nine-inning shutout effort against the Phillies in the Cardinals' series-clinching 1-0 Game 5 win at Philadelphia.

Although it's very possible that the Cardinals may not need Carpenter again this season if their bullpen stays on its current pace, St. Louis's ace still remains the World Series MVP favorite.

Carpenter was incredible in Game 1, which is arguably the most important game of the World Series, considering the winner of Game 1 has gone on to take the title in 19 of the past 23 seasons.

With Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and Edwin Jackson set to pitch the next three games of the series for St. Louis, it's very likely the Cardinals won't call on the arm of Carpenter until a potential Game 5, which could either decide the series or sway momentum in St. Louis' favor.

Texas has the pitching staff and bullpen to tame the big bats of the Cardinals, mainly slugger Albert Pujols, as displayed by last night's low-scoring contest.

This paves the way for an inevitable MVP win for Carpenter if the Cardinals can survive the series, which all signs point to them doing.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke