By: Dave Pendleton

Dave Pendleton — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:39:58 +0000

Hopefully, for the Cardinals, Carp’s return will be a real shot in the arm. They’re going to need it if they hope to be in close competition at the end of the season.
With their current ace, Adam Wainwright, sidelined Kyle Lohse (11-2) has taken center stage.
The rest of the pitching staff seems to be held together with glue and paper clips.
Even so, the Cardinals have managed to rank among the top 5 pitching staff staffs in the league.
The long awaited return of Mark Mulder yielded what many of us had expected…not much. Actually, it was even less. Sixteen pitches to three hitters was all it took to send him back to Siberia….probably forever.
Chris Carpenter’s return has a more optimistic feel to it.
But I tend to temper my optimism more than most. He’s been out for a long time. Don’t expect Carp to return and pick up where he left off. If he does it’ll be a bonus. But just having him back on the roster should be a plus.
If the Cardinals defense, rated among the best in baseball, and their streaky offense, can continue, then maybe they can squeeze out 4 wins for Carp over the second half. MAYBE!
As it is, Cy Young may have trouble picking up a win with the Cardinals’ bullpen behind him.
I wish Carpenter well, but being a realist, all I’m hoping for are some decent outings and no setbacks. I look at the rest of this season as being the final phase of his rehab.
As they use to say in Boston…”maybe next year.”
Good Luck, Chris!

Comments on: Carpenter bouncing back

By: Dave Pendleton