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Maddux, Dodgers look to end five-game skid

Aug 27, 2008 - 10:52 AM LA DODGERS (65-67) at WASHINGTON (47-85), 7:10pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Greg Maddux is no stranger to a playoff race. On Wednesday, his job will be to keep the Los Angeles Dodgers from falling out of one.

Maddux (6-10, 4.25 ERA) will make his second start since being reacquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers - and never have they been more in need of a vintage performance by the righthander. The 42-year-old faces baseball's worst team, the Washington Nationals, as the Dodgers look to snap a five-game losing streak.

Of course, no team has been worse than the Dodgers over the last five days. Not only have they fallen back under .500 but the offense - thought to be revitalized following the July acquisitions of Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake - has all but disappeared. During the skid, they have scored six runs.

On Tuesday, rookie Collin Balester and the Nationals' bullpen allowed seven hits in a 2-1 victory, the lone Dodger run coming on a fielder's choice by Matt Kemp. Then again, that performance was an improvement for the Dodgers, who were shut out by the Philadelphia Philllies a night before.

Maddux was brought over to give the Los Angeles rotation extra sturdiness for a playoff run. In this case, all he needs to do is stop the bleeding. Now.

In order to do so, he'll need a better showing than in his first start with the Dodgers. In an August 22 loss to the Phillies, he surrendered seven runs and nine hits in less than six innings.

Countering for Washington is Tim Redding (8-8, 4.54), who has lost his last two decisions and five of his last six. He is 0-3 in five career appearances against the Dodgers.