Playoff Race Can Change Dynamics

The importance the Dodgers placed on their last six games was juxtaposed with the carefree approach of their opponents, who had nothing to play for except pride and a paycheck.

The next three days against the Colorado Rockies will be no different. The Dodgers trail the San Diego Padres by two games in the National League West and are tied with the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card race. Despite getting off to a promising start, the Rockies are long out of it.

Oddly, though, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks at times last week exhibited more fire than the Dodgers.

“It’s a common occurrence this time of year,” Manager Grady Little said. “You have a team not in the pennant race playing a team in the pennant race, and the team not in the race is willing to try things they wouldn’t normally try.”

That explains the Diamondbacks stealing three bases against Dodgers catcher Russell Martin on Saturday. And it explains why Diamondbacks Manager Bob Melvin left struggling right-hander Luis Vizcaino in the game to face Nomar Garciaparra with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Sunday.

A team with nothing to lose can experiment. The manager can defy conventional wisdom. The players are loose.

It also explains why Diamondbacks pitcher Livan Hernandez was yukking it up with fans from the on-deck circle.

“It’s a different mind-set,” Little said. “And in some ways it can make playing the game easier for them.”

Meanwhile, the Dodgers might take a cue from their untroubled opponents.

“You can’t play scared,” Martin said. “You’ve got to go out there and play as hard as you can. And to me, that’s the only way to play.”

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The Dodgers met at Dodger Stadium at 1 p.m. Monday before taking a bus to the airport and flying to Denver.

The schedule is different from a year ago, when the team left on trips immediately after the last game of a homestand.

Instead of flying Sunday night and whiling away Monday in their hotel rooms, the Dodgers were able to sleep an extra night at home and travel during the day.

First-year General Manager Ned Colletti and Little changed the travel policy before the season.

“It’s much better,” outfielder J.D. Drew said. “We don’t need an off day in Denver.”

Several players just needed a day off, period. Second baseman Jeff Kent received treatment for the sore muscle in his left side, Garciaparra rested his ailing thigh muscle and Martin enjoyed a day without putting on catcher’s gear.

“I’m doing what I can and trying to be smart about it,” Garciaparra said about his injury. “I have no complaints. You saw me run. It hurts. But I just go out and play.”

Martin reminds himself that he’s younger than most of his teammates.

“I’m not tired at all, actually,” he said. “Just being in the race kind of helps out. It’s fun.”

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“A Tale of 2Cities,” a two-part performance by playwright/performer Heather Woodbury about the lasting effect the Brooklyn Dodgers’ move to L.A. in 1957 has had on three generations in both locales, will be presented at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse from Saturday to Oct. 8.

For tickets, visit www.UCLALive.org, call (310) 825-2101 or Ticketmaster.

steve.henson@latimes.com