Maddux, Garciaparra ready to contribute

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre said it was never an issue whether to include Greg Maddux on the playoff roster even though he likely won't start any of the games in the NLDS.

"The only hesitancy I had early on was knowing there's a possibility we'll go with three starters in this series because of the second off-day, and how he would take to the bullpen," Torre said. "It didn't really surprise me that he's here for whatever we need him to do. He's a special person."

Maddux went 2-4 for the Dodgers in 7 starts after being acquired Aug. 19 from San Diego.

Torre's plan is to use just three starters in Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda. If the series goes four games, Lowe likely would come back on three days' rest.

"We don't know if we're going to do that yet, but (Lowe) is the most capable of doing that," Torre said.

Lowe left Game 1 on Wednesday after pitching 6 innings.

Maddux is one of several former Cubs on the Dodgers' roster in addition to general manager Ned Colletti, a former Cubs executive. Nomar Garciaparra and Juan Pierre come off Torre's bench.

Garciaparra spent only a season-and-a-half with the Cubs, appearing in only 105 games because of injuries.

"The time I spent here, I'll never forget," Garciaparra said. "I loved my time here. I loved the fans here. They were unbelievable to me. And I love this city."

Garciaparra missed 90 games this season with the Dodgers due to an assortment of injuries but is ready to contribute in the playoffs.

"This is a special series for me," Garciaparra said.