C.J. Wilson Vs. Chris Carpenter In Game 1 Of The World Series

Does C.J Wilson really have the ace-like stuff he needs to win on baseball’s biggest stage?  The Texas Rangers certainly have a powerful offense to back him up, but thus far in the playoffs he’s pitched pretty atrociously – and now faces St. Louis Cardinals’ own ace Chris Carpenter in game 1 of the World Series Wednesday night. Here’s a breakdown of the pitching match-up that will start things off for the 2011 World Series.

C.J. Wilson (0-2, 8.04 ERA in playoffs): The left-hander is still looking for his first win of the 2011 postseason after allowing 14 earned runs off a whopping 21 hits and 6 home runs in just 15 2/3 innings. In the entire regular season over 223 1/3 innings he only gave up 16 homers total, so it’s pretty clear he’s struggling right now. If he can get back on track to the type of stats he put up earlier in the year, he’s one of the best in the game and could pitch his team to a game one win in St. Louis. If not, expect the Cardinals’ improbable season to keep rolling tonight.

C.J. Wilson Stats (in 2011 regular season)

16-7, 2.94 ERA, 223.1 innings pitched, 191 hits allowed,  89 runs, 16 home runs

Chris Carpenter (2-0, 3.71 ERA in playoffs):  When compared to Wilson, the 36-year-old made hasn’t been the better pitcher in 2011. His ERA is a good chunk lower and his record of 11-9 is just ok. In the playoffs, however, Carpenter has showed flashes of greatness. He didn’t have his best stuff in his last start in NLCS, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings, but he did get the win. Before that, he pitched an absolute gem in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Phillies, throwing a three-hit, complete-game shutout that eliminated Philadelphia. Carpenter has a good track record in previous years as well, going 7-2 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 12 career postseason starts. He hopes to do that again against a potent Texas offense that has no plans on letting their foot off the gas.

Chris Carpenter Stats (in 2011 regular season)

11-9, 3.45 ERA, 237.1 innings pitched, 243 hits, 98 runs, 16 home runs

*Game 1 of the World Series starts at 8:05 ET Wednesday night. For the complete schedule, go HERE.