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Maddux off L.A.'s postseason roster?

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Future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux is no lock to make Dodgers' postseason rotation, if they make the playoffs. He latest bad outing, Friday against Giants, doesn't help his case. Manager Joe Torre tread lightly on the topic, mindful of baseball etiquette. It is unseemly to go into great detail about the playoffs, lest you not get into them. So long as the magic number is greater than zero, presume zero. This much we can tell: Derek Lowe would start Game 1. Lowe is scheduled to start Sunday and again Friday, which would set him up to start Game 1 on regular rest. Chad Billingsley could start Game 2. He is scheduled to start Tuesday and again on the final day of the regular season. Assuming the Dodgers have clinched by then, he could pitch a few innings to stay sharp, then start Game 2 on three days' rest. Should the Dodgers make the playoffs, Torre said he would plan to use four starters. He said he would not consider a three-man playoff rotation because the workload could be strenuous on Billingsley, who is finishing his first full season as a major league starter.

Los Angeles Times

Greg Maddux, AP Greg Maddux, AP
September 20, 2008  12:25 PM ET

Very Tough call for Joe ? ---- Great players rise to the occasion .Enough said , plus Joe has won a few championships for the Great Baseball Team on the Planet ... How sweet it is and I for one want to see him win it all ....just to rub into my favorite Teams owners Face ...hmmm and the Boston owners ... ( note not the Team just the owners).

September 20, 2008  12:58 PM ET

I'll be rooting for the Dodgers in the post-season with the hopes of them winning the World Series to see the egg on Steinbrenner's face as well as the egg on the face of the entire city of Boston.

September 20, 2008  01:21 PM ET

I hope he keeps Maddux on the post season roster. His experience would be invaluable.

September 20, 2008  01:24 PM ET

When is it time for future HOFers to quit? Maddux isn't getting better and staying only lessens his stats. If only players could see this and go out on top, like Michael Strahan.

September 20, 2008  09:16 PM ET

Maddux does not need to go out on top. He already proved how good he is, and now that he is your typical 4-5th starter, he brings a lot more to the table than those typical 4-5th starters do. The guy brings moral up, and is practically a second pitching coach.

Guys like Maddux need to never leave the game. They are nothing but good for the game. Hopefully Maddux (if he wants) is rewarded with a job as a coach on a team in the future. He deserves it

September 20, 2008  09:21 PM ET

Maddux off the roster is a good thing. He had his days. Experience just don't cut it when when you don't have the stuff. Maddux had one good outing since he's been with the Dodgers, and prior to that with the Paddies he was less impressive. Kershaw has been looking good and getting better with every outing. Lowe, Billinsley and Karoda are the logical choice. No reason for the Dodgers to risk it all on a roll of the dice. Torre is just starting to get used to the Dodgers being Dodgers. It doesn't matter who they're playing, when the Dodgers are hot they win. They do just as good against teams like the Angels as they do against the Nats. Torre sometimes over manages. He'll pull a reliever who's in command just to play the odds of a rightie to face a right handed hitter. He needs to get a feel for the Dodgers and stop being an odds manager. Don't get me wrong, Torre is an awesome asset. He just needs to learn the Dodgers.

September 20, 2008  11:37 PM ET

It's not like Maddux's .500 record in the playoffs is that impressive anyways...... this might be a good way to nudge him out..... he loves the game a lot, but his time has come..... unless he likes being a 5th starter.....

September 21, 2008  03:49 AM ET

I agree that Maddux does not need to be in the starting rotation for the playoffs. He was absolutely no help in '04, losing the 3rd game of a sweep by the Mets. Maddux has never been a good post-season pitcher & he had one of his worse years this year! He should coach the other guys & be available to come out of the bullpen if times get desperate in the postseason.

September 21, 2008  03:57 AM ET

I'd take Maddux over Penny, Kuo and maybe even Saito--if he has any hiccups this week. (Although he did great tonight.) You may not need a 5th starter in the post-season, but when you have a Greg Maddux available on a team with so many youngsters, his presence alone is an asset--especially if you are choosing against guys who may or may not be physically ready.

I predict that if the Dodgers leave Mad Dog off their PS roster, there will be that ONE situation that will come up--maybe in the World Series--where everyone will agree that Maddux would have been the perfect fit for that spot. Don't let that happen, Joe.

September 21, 2008  03:16 PM ET

The Dodgers, like every team in the play-offs, would need a guy who could step in and do long relief or a spot start. Maddux is a consumate professional, and would be their most natural choice to fill that role. Joe Torre has been around the block several times at this point in his career. He knows that in the post-season, pitching wins and the absence of pitching loses. Greg Maddux has been pitching on guile for the last 5-6 seasons, and has the know-how to make his innings count. I would be astonished to see him left off the post-season roster with the Dodgers pitchers' predeliction for frailty this year.

September 21, 2008  10:23 PM ET

If anyone else but "Mr. Honesty" Joe Torre made this call I would definitely question it. But, seeing it is Joe's call you gotta support his decision !!!
Sincerely, A Red Sox Fan

 
September 22, 2008  12:07 PM ET

He could be huge in the bullpen as long relief. Good way to save the bullpen in a blowout playoff game

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