Chris Carpenter (17-4, 2.29) vs. Kip Wells (7-12, 4.46). You don't need me to tell you that Carpenter has been simply divine all year. In his June 25 start he had the Bucs in a rut, striking out eleven and walking none en route to a complete-game rout. That start was only a bit better than usual for him this year, and in fact his last bad start was in early May against the Padres. He's reeled off eighteen consecutive quality starts since then. He's also pitched at least seven innings in his last twelve starts. Have fun, Bucs!
In Pirate personnel news, Jose Castillo is out for the season, although he won't require surgery; Oliver Perez pitched four innings last night for Indianapolis; Bryan Bullington, Neil Walker, Rajai Davis, and Brad Eldred will play in this year's Arizona Fall League; and Zach Duke's injury seems to be minor.