Dodgers Won't Be Distracted By the McCourts' Separation

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 15 -- One day after Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, club chief executive Jamie, announced their separation, those responsible for leading the Dodgers through the playoffs played down the divide, saying it wouldn't interfere with the team's business matters or focus.

"There's no difference in how we do business on a day-to-day business," General Manager Ned Colletti said. "On a personal level, I'm saddened by it."

The separation of the McCourts, who purchased the club in 2004, opened questions about the future of the franchise, especially given that a divorce between San Diego Padres owner John Moores and wife Becky led to the sale of the franchise. Early reports speculated that the McCourts could fight for control of the club, or one could attempt to buy the other out.

"You know, it's a very private thing, and I respect that," Los Angeles Manager Joe Torre said. "It's not going to affect anything we do."

Unusual Paths to Game 2

For Game 2, Vicente Padilla will pitch for Los Angeles; Pedro Martínez will pitch for Philadelphia. Their histories -- and their paths to this point -- are tangled in several ways. Martínez began his career pitching for the Dodgers. Padilla established himself as a big league starter with the Phillies. Both were unemployed for a period earlier this season. Both, speaking on Thursday, expressed gratitude for the way things have turned out.

Martinez, speaking about the chance to pitch in the playoffs at Dodger Stadium, said, "It's going to be special."

For Padilla, it will simply be special to pitch against Martínez. Growing up, Padilla said, "he was my idol."

Rain and Cold

A cold drizzle fell throughout most of Thursday at Yankee Stadium, cutting short the Yankees' scheduled workout and wiping out the Angels' entirely, and the forecast calls for more of the same for much of the next three days.

As of late Thursday afternoon, MLB officials believed Friday night's game was not in serious jeopardy from the weather, although temperatures are expected to be in the low-40s, if not colder.

One or more rainouts would eliminate scheduled off-days and likely would force the Yankees to scrap their plan to use only three starting pitchers by starting CC Sabathia three times, if necessary.

They Meet Again

Earlier this season, after a single, Angels center fielder Torii Hunter found himself standing at first base next to former teammate Mark Teixeira, a first baseman who left the Angels via free agency and signed with the Yankees this winter.

"Don't worry about it; we'll see you in the ALCS," Teixeira told him, according to Hunter.

"I said, 'Oh, okay, that's cool,' " Hunter said Thursday. "Now, here we are."

Angels General Manager Tony Reagins said there were no hard feelings toward Teixeira, who, prior to signing with the Yankees, had publicly expressed interest in returning to the Angels.

"I believe his interest was genuine," Reagins said. "But obviously, economics come into play, as does his preference for the East Coast. We get that."

Sheinin reported from New York.