Well, it is a couple of weeks after the Brewers acquired CC Sabathia and the Cubs went out and got Rich Harden, but the Cardinals hope tonight’s starting pitcher is the equivalent of pulling off a big trade.  Chris Carpenter starts tonight.

It was 485 days ago when Carpenter was last on the mound for St. Louis and tonight’s start in Atlanta comes after a long rehab from Tommy John surgery.

Don’t expect miracles from Carpenter who will be seeing major league talent for the first time, much different than that of AA and AAA, but it is the Atlanta Braves who have packed it in for this year by trading Mark Texieria to the Angels, who they acquired last year for the long haul.

The start tonight may be symbolic from the standpoint that Carpenter came up through the Braves organization before becoming a dominating pitching with the Cardinals.

From 2004-2007, Carpenter led all starters in the majors with a 51-19 record for a .729 winning percentage.  He was the 2005 Cy Young Award winner and at one point during this span the Cardinals won 17 straight starts from June 14 to September 13 in 2005.

Manager Tony LaRussa will be watching Carpenter closely and will limit his pitch count to 80-85 pitches.