Dodgers hope Lowe will be Mr. October

SAN FRANCISCO -- Derek Lowe!

It's that simple -- if the Dodgers are to ever get past Jose Lima and win two playoff games -- let alone a series for the first time in 20 years -- it starts with Lowe.

The Dodgers haven't announced it yet, but Lowe will start the Wednesday playoff opener on the road, which right now looks as if it will be Chicago, and probably return on three days rest to pitch Game 4 Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

And as the ultra-competitive Lowe will tell everyone once it's official: "Bring it on."

Lowe lives for this kind of pressure, sweating profusely as he pitches as if sitting under a bright light and being grilled by a pair of detectives, but most of the time refusing to break.

He's already been there too, getting the final postseason win against the Angels, the Yankees and then the Cardinals in the World Series for the Red Sox.

"It's why you play -- you want to pitch in big games," Lowe said. "That's why people pick places to go -- to get these chances. If you pitch in those games, you want to keep doing it."

So why did Lowe sign with the Dodgers four years ago?

And will he return next year?

Lowe, the Dodgers' most consistent pitcher the last five weeks, will be a free agent after collecting $37 million from the Dodgers, including $10 million this season.

It's a foregone conclusion around here that Lowe, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, will be pitching elsewhere next season, replaced by CC Sabathia, pitching now in Milwaukee.

Detroit would be a good guess where a Michigan-raised Lowe might land.

But before leaving, Lowe's sinker and ability to go deep into a game give the Dodgers the best chance of posting some lasting memories -- especially against the Cubs.

The Cubs will have the edge in most head-to-head matchups, but the great neutralizer can be a five-game series and outstanding starting pitching.

"When you get to this level, it's not about individuals," Lowe said, "it's how do you find a way to win."

Sure enough, but in this case the formula is Lowe and more Lowe, already pitching 14 innings against the Cubs this season and going 1-0 with a 1.93 earned-run average.

But it's more than that. Lowe is a battler, talking, yelling and swearing at himself on the mound. In between starts, he goes to the bullpen and practices throwing without a ball and with his eyes closed.