INSIDE BASEBALL

Monday through Thursday: Cardinals at St. Louis

Friday through Aug. 2: Braves at Atlanta

The Dodgers’ ownership didn’t have much interest in bringing back Derek Lowe, and Lowe didn’t have much interest in signing a new contract with the Dodgers. When John Smoltz defected from Atlanta to Boston, agent Scott Boras immediately got the Braves to sign Lowe for four years and $60 million. That would be a lot to pay for a fourth starter, and Lowe’s performance this season has been bettered by Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf. Lowe is 36, he’s striking out fewer batters than ever, and the sinkerballer is giving up far more fly balls than usual. The Dodgers could use his innings, but the four-year investment does not appear prudent at this time.

-- Bill Shaikin