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NLCS notebook

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 20, 2001

Maddux set to start a day early

ATLANTA -- Hoping to gain an advantage by not starting him opposite Randy Johnson, the Braves will start Greg Maddux on three days' rest in Game 4 tonight at Turner Field.

Kevin Millwood, who was added to the playoff roster, originally was scheduled to start. "It's not that big of a deal to come back," Maddux said. "If you do it a month or two straight, then it might mean something. But it doesn't mean anything, especially at this time of year."

The veteran right-hander allowed two runs over seven innings and lost Game 1 in Phoenix.

Since 1996, Maddux has made nine starts on three days' rest and is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA. The last time he did it in the postseason was against the Rockies in the 1995 division series.

He pitched seven innings and allowed four runs in the win.

"I just want to locate, use both sides of the plate, change speeds and have it end up where I'm aiming at," Maddux said.

Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams said he doesn't believe Maddux on three days' rest will be any different than every other time they have faced him.

"There's no advantage," he said. "He's going to throw strikes. And he's going to work quick, and he's going to let his defense work for him. That's just the way he is."

Ex-Ray Albie Lopez, who went 2-0 against the Braves during the regular season, starts for the Diamondbacks. He is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA this postseason.

POWER OUTAGE: When the Diamondbacks hit .237 in the division series, many believed it couldn't get any worse.

It has.

Arizona, which ranked fourth in the NL in batting average (.267) and homers (208) during the regular season, was hitting .206 with no home runs against the Braves before Game 3. The Diamondbacks also had been outscored 20-13 in seven postseason games.

"You just hope to get mistakes," Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly said. "And with the pitching staffs that you see in the postseason, mistakes are rare."

EXTRA PRECAUTIONS: The threat of being exposed to anthrax has teams taking precautions with the mail they receive.

"All the mail has been taken out of the slots, and it's now going to be gone through like at NBC, ABC and all that," Braves pitcher Steve Reed said. "You will be more aware of it, I'm sure, as I'm sure you will be at home, too."

ODDS AND ENDS: Nine of the past 15 teams that have come home for Games 3-5 with the series tied have advanced to the World Series. ... Friday marked the 10th anniversary of the Braves' first World Series appearance. Three players who were on that team now play for the Yankees: David Justice, Mike Stanton and Mark Wohlers.

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