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 on Wednesday, 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).