GatewayRedbirds.com

Pitching Matchup
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 NYM: LHP Tom Glavine               STL: RHP Chris Carpenter
• 15-7, 3.82 ERA in 2006           • 15-8, 3.09 ERA in 2006
• 1-0, 4.50 in 2006 vs. STL        • did not face NYM in 2006 regular season
• 18-6, 3.61 lifetime vs. STL      • 1-2, 4.24 lifetime vs. NYM

Matthew Leach wrote:There's Opening Day. Then there's Opening Day in St. Louis. Then there's Opening Night in St. Louis, on national television, with a World Series championship banner to be hoisted.

In Chris Carpenter's mind, it's all the same.

"It's a big deal to everybody else," Carpenter said of his fourth career start in a season opener. "My job is to go out and pitch. I work hard to keep myself focused and be ready to do my job.

"All that other stuff is somebody else's distraction. If I start thinking about it and letting it distract me, yeah, it's going to be a big deal. I won't allow that to happen."

Sunday night in St. Louis will be a very big deal for everyone else. The Cardinals will carry out their usual grand pre-opener ceremonies, with the traditional motorcade and appearances by the club's Hall of Famers. But it will all be topped off with something doubly special: the raising of the first world championship pennant for the organization in 24 years.

Carpenter was a big part of that title. He was the club's ace throughout the season, and he won three games in the playoffs. There was no question he'd be the man to get the ball for the opener.

"He's a gamer," said Albert Pujols. "He's going to go out there and do his best, and he is the best. I'm glad he's on my side. You don't expect anything else, only a win, when he's out there. If we can get him some run support, he's always going to do his best to get us a win."

Fortunately for the Cards, Carpenter is not only talented, he's particularly well-suited to the task facing him on Sunday. In four years as a Redbird, he's shown that his pitch-to-pitch focus is one of his greatest assets. Nothing gets Carpenter off his game. Not even a National League Championship Series rematch on Opening Night.

"There are a lot of potential distractions and a lot of ways to lose your concentration," said manager Tony La Russa. "But there isn't anybody out there pitching in either league that's better than he is."

Carpenter started openers for St. Louis in 2006 and 2005, and for Toronto in 2002. He believes he's much better prepared for the task than he was the first time, when he was lit up for six runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

"Absolutely," he said. "No question about it. I'm a different guy and a different pitcher than I was with Toronto. There's no comparison."

So he won't let all the festivities stand in his way. Still, he's glad that one ceremony will be held off until the Cardinals' second game. On April 3, the champs will receive their World Series rings.

Rather than focusing on putting the ball in the catcher's mitt, he'll be able to enjoy putting that ring on his finger.

"I'll enjoy Tuesday," he said. "I was kind of excited that we're getting them Tuesday and not Sunday."

On the Internet
• MLB.TV
• Gameday Audio
• Gameday (old version here)
• Official game notes

On television
• ESPN2

On radio
• NYM: WFAN AM-660, WADO AM-1280 (Español)
• STL: KTRS AM-550

On deck
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Mets at Cardinals, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Mets at Cardinals, 7:10 p.m. CT