The St. Louis Cardinals are looking for any slight edge they can get int he midst of a race for the final NL playoff spot, and the return of a former ace could be that edge. Chris Carpenter, who last pitched in the Major Leagues late last year, is expected to return on Friday against the Chicago Cubs:

Chris Carpenter will make his season debut for the #STLCards on Friday.

— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) September 17, 2012

Carpenter has missed all of this season after surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Last season he was 11-9 with a 3.45 ERA. He was able to throw four simulated games recently without incident. If effective, Carpenter can get St. Louis into the postseason and beyond.

Carpenter has been a postseason mainstay for St. Louis with a 9-2 career record. That includes a 6-0 record during the Cardinals 2006 and 2011 World Series championships.

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