The Cardinals are likely going to only have one starting pitcher under 30 years old (25-year old lefty Jaime Garcia) in the starting rotation in 2012. That won’t be a problem as they are loaded with talent. Here is a look at the Cardinals’ starting rotation as of right now:

#1: Chris Carpenter: 36-year old righty Chris Carpenter will be working as the ace of the Cardinals’ starting rotation once again in 2012. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Carpenter has now pitched in 195 games (194 starts) in his first 8 years with the Cardinals and he is 95-42 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has now pitched in 347 games (329 starts) in his first 14 years in the majors and he is 144-92 with a 3.76 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Carpenter showed no signs of slowing down in 2011, so it’s all systems go for 2012.

#2: Adam Wainwright: 30-year old righty Adam Wainwright missed all of last year due to Tommy John Surgery. He is going to be ready to go for 2012, according to most reports. He has pitched in 182 games (114 starts) in his first six years with the Cardinals and he is 66-35 with 3 saves, a 2.97 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. I look for Wainwright to return with a vengeance in 2012 for the Cardinals.

#3: Jaime Garcia: 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Jaime Garcia will be slotted #3 in the Cardinals’ rotation for 2012. He pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 13-7 with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Garcia has now pitched in 70 games (61 starts) in his first three years with the Cardinals and he is 27-16 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. I expect that Garcia will have another solid year in 2012.

#4: Kyle Lohse: 33-year old righty Kyle Lohse was outstanding for the Cardinals last year. He pitched in 30 games (all starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 14-8 with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Lohse has now pitched in 104 games (103 starts) in his first four years with the Cardinals and he is 39-32 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He has now pitched in 322 games (298 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 102-106 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. I look for Lohse to have another solid year for the Cardinals in 2012.

#5: Jake Westbrook: 34-year old righty Jake Westbrook will be the #5 starter for the Cardinals in 2012. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Cardinals last year and he was 12-9 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. He has now pitched in 45 games (all starts) in his first two years with the Cardinals and he is 16-13 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Westbrook has now pitched in 266 games (226 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 85-84 with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: A