"Closer to 3 ER every 9" >>> "less than 2 ER every 7"
And it's not his fault that he pitched with leads. Pitched very well with leads, in fact. Let's punish him for that.
Besides, Carpenter has proven himself in close games also. There are a number of games where he's gone 8-9 innings when it's one-run ballgame:
- April 21: 1-0 ballgame that Carpenter tosses a complete game against the rival Cubs. (Cards score 3 in the bottom of the 8th and Carpenter finishes the deal in the top of the 9th.)
- June 3: 1-0 ballgame that Carpenter goes 8. (Cards do score 1 in the top of the 9th and the game ends 2-0. Great pitching by Carpenter.)
- July 22: 1-1 ballgame that goes 11 innings. Carpenter pitches 9 innings in this huge battle against Zambrano and the rival Cubs.
etc.
He pitches well in the close games, he pitches well in the blowouts.
Also, let's point out that Carpenter had 27 quality starts out of 33 total starts, and only 2 of those QS were of the "6 IP, 3 ER" variety that you so despise.