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David Ely on Joe Torre and his Super Excellent Relief Corps:

"I don't think I've ever had two closers," Torre said Sunday. "It solves the problem of the eighth inning. Now you get through the sixth inning [and] you're OK because you've got a guy named Hong-Chi Kuo out there, who's pretty versatile in that you don't care if it's lefty or righty with him, either."

The big story, though, is the trend of scoreless eighth and ninth innings that has been as dependable as it gets since George Sherrill's arrival.

Since joining the Dodgers, Sherrill has posted some eye-opening numbers.

In 24 appearances (22 1/3 innings pitched), Sherrill has allowed only one run on 15 hits -- good for a 0.40 ERA, full two runs lower than his mark earlier this season with the Orioles.

While it's been documented that pitchers often enjoy a statistical bump when leaving the American League for the pitcher-friendly NL, it can't automatically be used to explain Sherrill's success with the Dodgers, as NL relievers don't often face pitchers.

No, they don't. They do face mostly National League hitters who are not, on the whole, as good as American League hitters. It's as simple as that, isn't it? Since Sherrill joined the Dodgers, has he faced a lineup as good as the Yankees' or the Red Sox' or the Angels'? I would guess that he has not.

Of course, Sherrill's not really this good ... but then again, he doesn't have to be, because the bullpen is absolutely stacked. In addition to Sherrill, Broxton, and Kuo, Torre may also summon Ramon Troncoso (2.75 relief ERA), Ronald Belisario (1.92), or James McDonald (2.40). And that's just the Dodgers' top six! Veterans Guillermo Mota and Jeff Weaver have both pitched decently, too.

Have some of these fellows posted ERAs a bit lower than their abilities will continue to support? Sure. But without any real weak spots -- not to mention all those days off during the Division Series -- once the fifth inning's over, Torre can play match-ups with his relievers all day long ... with Weaver or McDonald available for long duties should the game stretch past nine innings.

You know what I'll be watching for, though? To see if Torre loses a close game without ever getting his best reliever (or relievers) into the game. There's little point in having the best bullpen if you're not going to use the best parts of it.