McCourt Plays Up Dodgers’ Chances

It was an observation more than a warning, though Dodger owner Frank McCourt isn’t concerned about how the St. Louis Cardinals or Atlanta Braves perceive things.

McCourt said his National League West champions fight to the finish, and the Dodgers’ potential playoff opponents are in for an old-fashioned rumble.

“I just wouldn’t want to play us,” said McCourt, reveling in the moment on the field at Dodger Stadium after the team clinched its first division title in nine years in its franchise-record 53rd comeback victory. “I just wouldn’t want to because it’s very, very discouraging to play against people that you know will not quit. You cannot put them down.

“It’s like fighting a great heavyweight fighter, and you know that person is not going to give in. He’s not going to give up. When you know you can’t put that person down, that’s a big mental edge. Isn’t it?”

The Dodgers certainly hope so after living on the edge while going 15-13 in September and 1-1 in October, barely outlasting San Francisco. They capped McCourt’s first regular season with a storybook ending, rallying for a 7-3 victory over the Giants and eliminating their longtime rivals from the division race.

The Dodgers could apply a knockout blow to San Francisco’s NL wild-card hopes today, and then it’s off to ... well, it’s not clear.

With a victory today against the Colorado Rockies, the Houston Astros would clinch the league’s wild-card berth, sending the Dodgers to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the best-of-five NL division series. The first two games would be played Tuesday and Thursday at Busch Stadium.

If the Astros lose and the Giants win today at Chavez Ravine, the Giants and Astros would play a one-game playoff Monday to determine the wild-card winner. If the Giants won, the Dodgers would play the Atlanta Braves in the first two games, also Tuesday and Thursday, at Turner Field. Odalis Perez is scheduled to start the opener and Jeff Weaver is set for Game 2 against either possible opponent.

So all that’s certain is that the Dodgers will be packing their bags.

“Let me tell you something, bro: It doesn’t matter where this team plays,” said pitcher Jose Lima, expected to start in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.

“We love our fans, the Dodgers always have great fans, but we feel we can play anywhere. Playing on the road ... that’s not a problem for us. I said nobody can beat us in a short series because we find a way to beat you. I hope I’m right.”

The Dodgers (93-68) were 44-37 on the road. They were winless (0-3) at St. Louis and went 1-2 at Atlanta this season.

Whom would they prefer to play?

“You’ve got to be careful at this time of year about picking your poison because they’re all great teams,” General Manager Paul DePodesta said while pitcher Odalis Perez sprayed him with champagne.

“Our team showed an awful lot of character the last couple of weeks. We played with a lot of excitement the last couple of weeks, we played under a lot of pressure, so I certainly feel we’re prepared

With a formidable lineup featuring Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds, the Cardinals are perceived to be the class of the league. At 104-57, they have the best record in the major leagues, and the Dodgers were swept there early last month.

“St. Louis is obviously a great team, and they’ve got one of the best lineups in the league and the game,” infielder-outfielder Shawn Green said. “We didn’t play great there, but it wasn’t like we got blown out either.

“We also played them tough in taking two of three when they came here. The bottom line is that if we’re going to do something in the postseason, it doesn’t matter who we play and where. We just have to win.”

And his team plans to continue winning, McCourt said.

“This team has guts,” he said. “When you get guts and hard work together, that goes a long way.”