Game three takes place in St. Louis tonight as Nate Robertson visits Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter. Teams stack their batting orders with right-handers against Robertson. Lefties hit a mere .181 against the southpaw with a .269 slugging percentage. Righties, on the other hand, hit 100 points higher and slugged 200 points higher. His 5.91 ERA in the post season could be a lot worse. He allowed nine base runners in five innings vs. the Athletics but did not allow a run in that game. Don't expect that sort of luck to continue. Twenty-three base runners in 10 2/3 innings is not a recipe for success.

Carpenter is the only pitcher in the 2006 post season with four starts. He pitched brilliantly against San Diego, winning both starts while striking out 12 in 13 1/3 innings. He didn't do so well against the Mets, who managed three homers off the Cy Young winner in 11 innings. Chris allowed less than a home run per nine innings during the regular season. Busch should help Chris in terms of home runs. He allowed just seven at home this season vs. fourteen on the road, leading to his 1.81 ERA in St. Louis.

Carpenter did face Detroit this season, and they pounded him at Comerica Park. He allowed seven runs in seven innings and two homers. He did strikeout nine, however.

Ivan Rodriguez batted against Carpenter the most among the Tigers. Chris may provide I-Rod an opportunity to break out of his slump, as he is 9 for 26 against Chris in his career. Belliard is the only Cardinals players with extensive experience against Robertson. He's batting .320 in those face-offs, 8 for 25. However, Preston Wilson is perfect against Nate, 5 for 5 with a home run and a walk.

Overall, the matchup favors the Cardinals. They don't hit for power vs. left handers, but Carpenter is in his element tonight.