Mulder cleared to pitch Game 2

ST. LOUIS -- Mark Mulder's successful bullpen session on Tuesday solidified the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation for the NL championship series.

The 16-game winner, who took a line drive off his left biceps in his division series start, was cleared to pitch in Game 2 after throwing more than 40 pitches the day before the Cardinals began their NLCS rematch against the Houston Astros.

Mulder was encouraged by his progress after throwing with less success on Monday.

"It's gotten better every day," Mulder said. "I didn't really have any complications."

Unless Mulder has a setback today, the Cardinals will go with the same top three they used to sweep the San Diego Padres in the first round: Chris Carpenter (21-5), Mulder (16-8) and Matt Morris (14-10).

Manager Tony La Russa is counting on Mulder, a top of the rotation pitcher the Cardinals lacked in the postseason last year, to be ready.

"If he's good to go, he's the guy we want to pitch in Game 2," La Russa said.

Jeff Suppan (16-10), one of two starters who wasn't used in the first round, is the probable starter for Game 4 instead of Jason Marquis (13-14). Pitching coach Dave Duncan said Marquis' ability to throw on successive days was a major factor in the decision to leave him in the bullpen for now.