Weaver gets start in possible clincher

Dodgers and Angels castoff Jeff Weaver will start tonight for the St. Louis Cardinals, his fifth of the playoffs. He is 2-2 with a 2.91 earned-run average in his previous four starts, including a five-inning loss against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the World Series.

Weaver gave up nine hits and three runs at Comerica Park, but Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa chose the veteran on regular rest over rookie Anthony Reyes.

Depending on the series standing, and the ever-changing weather conditions here and in Detroit, La Russa could bring back Chris Carpenter on three days’ rest for Game 6 on Saturday, or on regular rest for Game 7. Reyes could get another start in Detroit, as well.

Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said he would stay with his rotation, meaning Justin Verlander tonight, Kenny Rogers in Game 6 and Nate Robertson in Game 7.

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Juan Encarnacion, who hit behind Albert Pujols against left-handed starters earlier in the playoffs, was benched for a second consecutive game in the World Series. Scott Rolen, who has come out of his postseason slump, now bats cleanup against lefties, Jim Edmonds against right-handers.

Rookie Chris Duncan, who took extra fly balls in the outfield before batting practice Thursday, played right field and Preston Wilson played left field.

Encarnacion was hitless in his last seven NLCS at-bats and his first seven World Series at-bats.

He has been replaced in part because he hasn’t been hitting, and in part because he said so in the local papers.

“It looks to me like he’s struggling,” La Russa said. “And I read and heard some of his comments and he admits he’s struggling. So you play him if you don’t have a good option. We have other options.”

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Cardinals starter Jeff Suppan is appearing in anti-stem cell research ads on Missouri television. Former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney also appear in the ads, though they weren’t mentioned in the sign raised in the crowd at Busch Stadium on Thursday night.

It read, “Clone Suppan.”

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While Tigers pitchers have outdone themselves with their four Series errors, the staff committed 15 in the regular season, second-highest in the American League. The Indians were first, with 17. Brewers pitchers committed 18, most in the majors.

tim.brown@latimes.com