Watch: Yankees' Matt Carpenter gets standing ovation from Cardinals fans in return to St. Louis

"I was telling somebody earlier that this will be the first three games since 2009 I have not pulled for the St. Louis Cardinals to win," Carpenter told MLB.com's John Denton. "All season, anytime that we're not playing, and our schedule matches up, I'm watching the guys, checking every box score and legitimately wanting them to win every game. This will be the first three where that's not the case, but as soon as we leave town, I'll go right back to being [a Cardinals fan]. It's going to be weird to compete against them, but being able to separate the emotions will be a challenge." 

After struggling over the last two seasons with St. Louis, Carpenter hit free agency during the offseason. Carpenter signed with the Texas Rangers in March but was released two months later. A week after being waived, Carpenter signed with the Yankees, where he's rejuvenated his career. 

The 36-year-old is batting .322/.435/.791 with 15 home runs and 36 RBI in 43 games with the Yankees this season. 

Carpenter played 1,329 games for the Cardinals from 2011 through the 2021 season, compiling 155 home runs and 576 RBI while slashing .262/.368/.449.