Maddux's status is in limbo

SAN FRANCISCO -- Dodgers Manager Joe Torre made it clear that when it comes to assembling his playoff roster, there will be no room for sentimentality about any one player.

That includes pitcher Greg Maddux, 42, four Cy Young Awards or not.

"I like to think I'm loyal to my players, but when it comes down to something as immediate as the postseason, I'm more loyal to the 25" total players on the team, Torre said.

That's why it's still uncertain what role, if any, Maddux will play when the newly crowned National League West champions open the best-of-five division series Wednesday.

Torre said the first three starters would be Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda, in that order. Lowe also presumably could start Game 4 if the series goes that long.

But Maddux, who had struggled since joining the Dodgers on Aug. 19, helped his cause with a strong outing Saturday as the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants, 2-1.

Blake DeWitt provided the offense with a home run and run-scoring single. And Takashi Saito got three quick outs in the ninth inning for his 18th save.

Maddux (8-13) gave up only two hits -- one of them a home run by Randy Winn -- in six innings to earn his 355th victory that lifted him from an eighth-place tie with Roger Clemens on the all-time victory list.

"I still want to pitch, feel like I can pitch," Maddux said. "Mentally, it makes you feel better going into the postseason."

Torre has to cut the Dodgers' roster to 25 players for the playoffs, and said he planned to carry 11 pitchers. If Maddux doesn't earn a starting spot, he could be used in relief, Torre said.

"I'd rather pitch out of the bullpen than go home," Maddux said.

Before Saturday's game, Torre silently gave an ambiguous shrug when asked whether Maddux would be in the playoffs.

Minutes later, he was asked the same question in a different form: Was Saturday's game Maddux's last of the season?

"I hope not, I hope not," Torre said.

With the regular season ending today, the Dodgers still didn't know whether they'll face the Philadelphia Phillies or Chicago Cubs when the playoffs start Wednesday.

Regardless, there are question marks about the Dodgers' lineup heading into the series.

It's still unclear whether Saito, who spent two months on the disabled list because of an elbow problem, will be the main closer in relief.