But Clemens is 42 and if he didn't get those blond streaks in his hair, you'd see some gray. Asking him to pitch with full fury on three days of rest isn't possible.

Houston manager Phil Garner saw that up close 10 days ago when he had Clemens pitch on short rest against the Atlanta Braves in the division series.

The Rocket lasted only five innings, allowing six hits and two walks. He left with a 5-2 lead that the Houston bullpen wasn't deep enough to hold.

Rather than face that situation again, Garner will play it safe Wednesday night and start Pete Munro against St. Louis in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

This time it makes sense to give the ball to an unknown right-hander with a 13-19 career record instead of a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

"If you ask Roger to come back on short rest two out of his last three starts, I'm not sure (that's right) even though he'd willing and able and fine with it," Garner said. "I think all things considered, it's best to let him go on the fifth day and give Pete his shot."

Houston's 3-2 series lead allowed Garner that option and he took it. Now the worse case scenario for Houston is having Clemens on full rest pitching in Game 7 against Jeff Suppan. That's not a bad position to be in.

"If we have Roger pitching to get us in the World Series, I'll take our chances," Houston left fielder Craig Biggio said Monday night after the Astros beat the Cardinals 3-0 on Jeff Kent's walk-off homer.

Munro pitched 4 2/3 innings in Game 2, allowing three runs on six hits. One of those runs scored after he left the game.

"It's just another chance to prove myself," he said. "That they went with me is amazing to me. It's a feeling that I've never had before."

Munro has been with five organizations and this is his second stint with Houston. The 29-year-old was released by the Minnesota Twins in June and signed with Houston. He was 4-7 with a 5.15 ERA in 21 games.

Now he's pitching with the pennant on the line. Houston has never been to the World Series.

Garner told him of his decision on the flight from Houston to St. Louis after Game 5 on Monday.

"I guess I was kind of overwhelmed," Munro said. "I'm sure that they'd rather face me than Roger. I mean, I'd rather face me than Roger."

According to Garner, Clemens said he would pitch if asked. But he did not demand the ball.

Clemens went seven innings and threw 116 pitches on Saturday in Houston, allowing only two runs in a game the Astros won 5-2. On Monday, Clemens said he had bounced back well physically but expressed no preference as to when he would pitch.

"I'm ready for whatever Phil and (pitching coach) Jim Hickey want me to do," Clemens said. "Whatever they decide, I'm fine with."

The reeling Cardinals, who lost three straight in Houston, have scored only seven runs in the last three games. They were one-hit by Brandon Backe and Brad Lidge on Monday.

St. Louis will start Matt Morris Wednesday night. He lasted five innings in Game 2, allowing six hits and three runs. In a shaky outing, Morris threw two wild pitches, walked five and was called for a balk.

"I know I'm capable of better," Morris said. "But I'm going to deal with what I've got and make as many pitches as I can."

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was asked how difficult it would be to win 105 games in the regular season and fall short of the World Series.

"That's a question that doesn't have to be answered now," he said. "I hope it doesn't have to be answered later, either."

Notes

If Houston wins Game 6, the Astros would have Clemens and Roy Oswalt set up to pitch the first two games of the World Series. ... St. Louis reliever Julian Tavarez should be available. The right-hander broke two fingers on his left hand punching a dugout telephone on Sunday after allowing a home run. His glove had been modified to fit a plastic mold that would protect his hand. ... There have been 20 home runs in the series, three short of the LCS record set by the Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins last season.

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