Garrelts, Maddux to Start in 1st Game of NL Playoffs

Scott Garrelts of the Giants and Greg Maddux of the Cubs will be the opposing pitchers in the opening game of the National League playoffs next Wednesday in Chicago, the managers for each team announced.

Giants Manager Roger Craig said Wednesday night that he will go with 17-game winner Rick Reuschel in the second game. Cubs Manager Don Zimmer has tabbed Mike Bielecki, 19-12 with a 9.95 earned run average, to oppose Reuschel.

Zimmer chose Maddux over Rick Sutcliffe, who has been the Cubs’ starter on Opening Day since 1985. He also started the first game of the 1984 playoffs against San Diego. But this year, he is slated to start the third playoff game against San Francisco--at San Francisco.

The records of the two pitchers speak for themselves. Maddux is 19-12 with a 2.95 ERA. Sutcliffe’s record is 15-11 and his ERA is 3.71.

More important, the usually steady Sutcliffe has been unreliable in the second half of this championship season. In the start before last, he pitched less than two innings and has complained of shoulder problems off and on for months.

“No. 1,” Zimmer said, “I think (Maddux) has been my best pitcher. I think Bielecki’s been the second-best pitcher. Sutcliffe’s been the third-best.”

Zimmer also said the younger Maddux and Bielecki would be able to bounce back more quickly if needed for a second playoff start.

Although the exact rotation for this weekend’s series in St. Louis was uncertain, Maddux’s nomination for the first game of the playoffs appeared likely to cost him a chance for a 20th victory. But he said he didn’t mind.

“As far as I’m concerned, I would much rather win 19 and be 100% ready for the playoffs than to pitch five or six innings (against the Cardinals) and not be as strong.”

Craig said of Zimmer: “He knows me and I know him. We have no set pattern, what we’re going to do once the game starts. I’m not going to change anything. I’m just going to manage the same way I’ve always managed and I’m sure he’ll do the same thing.”