Wacha named for Game 2 start at Fenway

BOSTON -- Michael Wacha, fresh off being named the MVP of the National League Championship Series, has been tabbed the Cardinals' Game 2 starter, manager Mike Matheny announced on Tuesday.

The assignment of following Adam Wainwright was expected to fall to Wacha, who has been the most dominant starting pitcher this postseason. After ending his regular season with 8 2/3 no-hit innings, Wacha has excelled on the October stage. The Cardinals have won all three of the starts made by the 22-year-old, who limited the Pirates and Dodgers to eight hits, one earned run and four walks in 21 innings during the first two rounds of the postseason. He has 22 strikeouts.

Wacha will be making the start on five days' rest after closing out the NLCS in St. Louis last Friday. He'll be opposed by Boston starter John Lackey.

The Cardinals have not revealed their rotation plans beyond Game 2, though Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn are each expected to draw a start before the rotation turns back over. Lynn said that he has been told he will be available to pitch out of the bullpen, if needed, in Game 1 of the World Series (6:30 p.m. CT airtime, 7:07 first pitch on FOX).