Rays/MLB

Manager opts to not move up ace

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published October 12, 2006

NEW YORK - Postponing Wednesday's scheduled opening game of the NL Championship Series takes away the off day between Games 2 and 3 and forces the Mets and Cardinals to play five games straight, if the series goes that long.

"Playing five in a row, actually, is a better test because that's kind of what you do throughout the season," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Mother Nature controls that, and it will be the same for both teams."

The rainout gave La Russa the opportunity to move ace Chris Carpenter, who was 2-0 in the division series, up to pitch Game 2, but La Russa said he will not tinker with his rotation, pitching Jeff Weaver tonight and Jeff Suppan Friday. Some of that has to do with Carpenter's 8-4 record and 1.81 ERA in 17 starts at Busch Stadium this season.

"He'd be great on the road, too," La Russa said. But "there's an extra expectation, pressure, excitement (in Game 3), and I think Chris is a better choice for that game. And if it goes seven, he would be a great choice for that one. ...

"It's not just (being) home, but the excitement of Game 3, the first championship at the park. It would be different."

There's a 20 percent chance of rain in today's forecast for New York City.

FLOYD'S BACK: Mets leftfielder Cliff Floyd admitted he's nowhere near 100 percent, but he's healthy enough to be in New York's lineup. Floyd, who reaggravated a left Achilles' injury in Game 3 of the NLDS, was slated to bat sixth Wednesday.

"It's playoff time, man," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "In his mind, he does not want to be a hindrance to what we need to do. He's one of my big boys, and I'd like to see him be out there with us so we can get this first win under our belt."

Floyd said he told Randolph he was good to play following Tuesday's workout day after team doctors told him playing wouldn't risk further injury. He said the injury doesn't affect his hitting but does hurt when he runs.

"To be on this roster is important to me," Floyd said. "I feel like I can help this team. ... I told him what I was capable of doing and I let him make his decision. It's not my call to be hitting sixth and play leftfield. It's Willie's call. My feeling was I could hit, do some things he needed me to do, and that's what we're going by."

MISCELLANY: Starting time for Friday's Game 2 will be announced today. ... La Russa had third baseman Scott Rolen penciled in to hit fifth Wednesday, answering whether Rolen's ailing shoulder would keep him out of action. The fact that Rolen is hitting .358 (19-for-53) against Game 1 starter Tom Glavine doesn't hurt. ... Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran was in the lineup despite nursing a slight abdomen tear. "The doctors said it's not going to get any worse," Beltran said.

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 01:47:13]