no, they don't. i'm fine with buehrle. clemens is being punished for 2 reasons 1. he's started before 2. larussa playing favorites carpenter has no business starting this game. 1. It can be debated. With 7 wins, I don't believe he should be the starter. His other #s support him, so I see your point. I don't agree, but that's because I think that Wins are an important stat. That, and Clemens got shelled in last years game. Of the other 2 pitchers, Carpenter has as many or more wins, more Ks a slightly higher ERA and lower WHIP. You can make a case for Clemens, but to say that Tony is playing favorites is a weak leg to stand on. Tony had 1 pick to make to fill out his squad, and he didn't pick a Cardinal. W K ERA WHIP Roger Clemens 7 112 1.48 0.95 Roy Oswalt 12 118 2.39 1.08 Dontrelle Willis 13 95 2.39 1.14 Chris Carpenter 13 128 2.51 1.07 Sweet lord. Wins are NOT an important stat for pitchers. How is it his fault that his team does not produce for him. Out of that group Clemens has the lowest ERA and the lowest WHIP. Those are important stats for pitchers. Wins, really, have nothing to do with the pitcher. A pitcher could go out and throw a perfect game every single time, but not win a single game. His team has to put up runs for him. So when a pitcher wins his 300th game it's not a big deal? I see your point, but to fans of the game outside of the statheads (guilty as charged) wins are an important stat. Sure, they're kind of like RBIs in that you have to have guys on base to drive in. You could pick any of those 4 pitchers and have arguments for the other 3. Bottom line, the Cards have the best record in the NL, Carp is the ace of the staff, and Tony is the Cards manager. If he had picked anyone other than Carp, he would have had hell to pay in St. Louis. And what kind of message would that have been to send to his team. Yes, it isnt a big deal. Case and Point = Greg Maddux. If he would have never went to the Braves he probably wouldnt be close to 300, and his ERA would have been higher. He would have still been a great pitcher, but never would have gotten the big 300. See how that works?