Cardinals cautious in preparation of Schilling

Right-hander Jason Marquis is expected to start for St. Louis in Game 4.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox will try to get Curt Schilling ready for another World Series start. They certainly hope they don't need to use him.
Pitching again with his damaged ankle tendon stitched down, Schilling led Boston to a 6-2 victory over St. Louis on Sunday night. Needing only two more wins to clinch the title, the Red Sox hope they can close out the Cardinals before the right-hander's next scheduled start, in Game 6.
But Boston is planning ahead anyway.
"We'll do the same thing we always do, evaluate him and prepare for his next start," manager Terry Francona said Monday. "This isn't something we would do for 30 starts, obviously."
Schilling limped through the clubhouse Monday, his ankle red and swollen. Marks from the sutures were visible, but the pitcher said he was fine.
Before Game 2, team physician Dr. Bill Morgan raised doubts about whether the unprecedented medical procedure could be performed on Schilling's ankle a third time without risking further damage.
"We need to examine him after the start, day after the start, two days after the start, first side session, see how he feels and see if there's a path possible, medical treatment that can get him out on the mound healthy with good mechanics so he can be effective," general manager Theo Epstein said. "If we can find that path, we'll take it, but if not we'll shut him down."
Game 4
Cardinals right-hander Jason Marquis is still scheduled to start Game 4 on Wednesday night, even though he pitched in relief Sunday.
Marquis worked a scoreless seventh in Game 2, his first inning out of the bullpen this season. The team was not happy with his previous two starts in the postseason.
"One of the best things that happened was to get him out there and get him a little work," manager Tony La Russa said Monday. "With two days off, he'll be ready to go."
Marquis said Sunday was supposed to be his bullpen day anyway.
"I sort of used it as a tuneup in my mind. It should be no problem for Game 4," he said.
Marquis made two starts in the playoffs, allowing six runs in 81/3 innings. He started Game 2 of the division series against Los Angeles, then was bumped to the No. 4 starter in the NLCS and World Series.
St. Louis believes Marquis tipped his pitches in the NLCS. Another option could have been Dan Haren, who has been effective in relief.
Highly rated
Boston's 6-2 victory Sunday got a 15.9 fast national rating and 24 share, the highest-rated Game 2 since Atlanta's 4-3 victory over Cleveland in 1995 got a 19.4/31.