At COLORADO

PROBABLE PITCHERS

Today, 5:35 p.m. (KCAL/9, KFWB/980): RHP Greg Maddux (13-14, 4.25) vs. RHP Jason Jennings (9-12, 3.65)

Wednesday, 5:35 p.m. (KCAL/9, KFWB/980): RHP Derek Lowe (15-8, 3.57) vs. RHP Aaron Cook (9-14, 4.11)

Thursday, 12:05 p.m. (FSN Prime, KFWB/980): RHP Brad Penny (16-9, 4.21) vs. RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (8-12, 5.29)

HEATING UP

Brad Penny

5-0, 1.93 ERA in five starts vs. Colorado

Jeff Baker

Hitting .400-4-11 in the last week

SCOUTING REPORT

ONE MORE PUSH: As the schedule of games dwindles down, it appears the Dodgers may not know whether they'll play in October until the regular season's final game.

Entering Monday, they trailed the Padres by a game and a half in the National League West and were half a game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL wild card race. The Dodgers would be smart to wrap things up before they head to San Francisco this weekend, as the Giants will surely relish the role of potential spoilers.

THANK YOU, ROCKIES: Major League Baseball schedules mostly division games down the stretch to make things interesting, but this series shouldn't be one of the most compelling. In fact, the Dodgers should at least win the series, if not sweep it. They are 12-4 against the Rockies this season.

SIGN OF TROUBLE?: The Dodgers would be well served to squeeze as much out of their starting pitchers over the last week of the season as possible. That's because their bullpen has been overworked and under-effective. Don't expect things to change, though ñ the three starters working this series have combined to pitch more than seven innings in a game just seven times in 73 starts this season.

*All statistics are through Sunday.