It seems Clemens will pitch Thursday if the Astros can win at least one of the next two games:

Garner said either Wandy Rodriguez, who worked 3 1/3 shaky innings in relief of Clemens in Game 1, or Ezequiel Astacio, who started 14 games for the Astros this season, would get the nod if Clemens wasn't healthy.

But Garner seemed certain that Clemens would be ready.

"Roger Clemens is pitching the fifth game right now," Garner said.

Clemens was given a cortisone shot after Saturday's game, a baseball official who was updated on Clemens' condition told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Sunday. Because Clemens has responded to these shots in the past, the Astros hadn't ruled out the possibility that he could pitch again in this World Series.

"He's just a special individual. Sometimes your will can go a lot farther than your body," teammate Jeff Bagwell said Sunday. "The legend grows every day for him. I just think this could be another special time."

"Hobbled Clemens Beats White Sox" as a headline would certainly make his legend grow for Astros fans.