MLB World Series 2011: Chris Carpenter's Experience Gives Edge to Cardinals

After last night’s bullpen-killing, back-and-forth World Series epic, it’s easy to forget how many postseason series come down to one great performance by a starting pitcher.

20 years after the legendary Jack Morris-John Smoltz Game 7 duel, we’re unlikely to see a repeat of that performance, but tonight’s Game 7 will feature a veteran starter facing down a young one.

Texas’ Matt Harrison and St. Louis’ Chris Carpenter have posted virtually identical numbers this season, though Harrison got three more wins to show for it (14-9 to Carpenter’s 11-9 record). Harrison, in his second full season in the majors, recorded a WHIP of 1.276 and a 3.39 ERA, while 14-year vet Carpenter notched a 1.256 WHIP and 3.45 ERA.

However, the 36-year-old Carpenter brings a key advantage to tonight’s matchup: postseason experience.

Harrison had never pitched a playoff game before this season, while Carpenter (including his outstanding performance in these playoffs) is 8-2 all-time in postseason play.

There’s no pressure like a Game 7, and a young pitcher making his second World Series start isn’t going to have an easy time shaking that off. Harrison’s task is made even tougher by his poor showing in the Game 3 loss, in which he allowed six hits (including a home run) and five runs in 3.2 innings.

Carpenter, meanwhile, has the disadvantage of going on three days’ rest, but he’s been brilliant throughout this postseason, allowing just 11 runs in five starts. A Game 7 start is one of the few things he hasn’t seen in his major league career, but it’s hard to see him succumbing to nerves at this stage.

If the game turns into another extra-innings marathon, of course, all bets are off.

If the starting pitchers have anything to say about it, though, count on Carpenter to bring another world championship to St. Louis.