Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter Reuters

Tony La Russa is keeping quiet about who his Game Seven World Series starter will be should St. Louis beat Texas in Game Six on Wednesday night.

Fortunately for La Russa, Mother Nature might step in and lend him a helping hand.

The forecast calls for rain Wednesday night in St. Louis, and the game has been postponed, so now La Russa will have ace Chris Carpenter available on an extra day of rest. The Rangers lead the seven-game World Series, 3-2, and the Cardinals have heavily relied on the 36-year-old in the postseason.

Carpenter is certainly the Cardinals' best starter, but he threw 101 pitches in Game Five on Monday, and needed more time for his arm to rest in order to be effective.

With the season in the balance, there is no reason to rest anyone, but St. Louis hasn't had much production from Edwin Jackson and Kyle Lohse, so Carpenter, on short rest or not, would be an important option in Game Six or Seven.

Carpenter reportedly played catch Tuesday and said he felt fine.

I think everybody's available for the rest of the year, don't you? Carpenter told reporters. Whatever (La Russa) needs.

As for Texas, Matt Harrison is the likely starter for the potential Game Seven. Derek Holland, who was brilliant in Game Four, and C.J. Wilson, who had a solid performance in Game Five, would also be available.

The starters that were slotted for Game Six were Colby Lewis for the Rangers, and Jaime Garcia for the Cardinals.