Boston's Derek Lowe, tonight's starter for Game 4, has known nothing but success in the postseason.

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, October 27, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS -- In the span of a mere few weeks, Derek Lowe has gone from the Red Sox' forgotten man to their indispensible one.

Ousted from the Red Sox rotation shortly before the postseason began, Lowe was the pitcher of record in Game 3 of the American League Division Series against Anaheim.

But the best was yet to come. After a rainout in the ALCS, the Red Sox found themselves short a starter and Lowe reponded with a fine effort in Game 4, limiting the Yankees to a single run. Then, just three days, Lowe returned and pitched the Sox to victory in the climactic Game 7.

Tonight, in Game 4 of the World Series, the man who wasn't expected to start in October will be on the mound for the third time in the last eight postseason games.

"All I wanted to do was help this team win," he said before the start of last night's Game 3.

Lowe felt embittered by the slight to pass him over in the original rotation and made no secret of his unhappiness. But since the games began, he's become the consummate team player.

"To his credit," said manager Terry Francona, "he got it out of his system. I saw a couple of quotes that this is the Red Sox, not the Lowes -- all the things that we believed in. And because he stayed prepared, look what he did for us. Look what he's going to do for us. I'm thrilled for him."

Postseason pressure, of course, is nothing new for Lowe. He was part of the Red Sox' staff in 1998 and 1999, and last October, earned the save in Game 5 of the ALDS comeback against the Oakland A's.

"The more times you get put out in that opportunity," said Lowe, "in that arena -- because it's nothing like the regular season -- and the times you can have success, all it does is give you confidence. I think that's what postseason baseball is all about: the guys that have success, they're very confident.

"I love this time of year. I think you have to. I think you have to relish the opportunity to go out there, not be scared to fail, prepare your butt off to go out and pitch a good game. And for the last couple of years, I think it's worked."

Indirectly, Lowe may have also helped himself as a free agent this offseason. After a regular season that saw him struggle at times, Lowe's postseason efforts may boost his value.

"You can't really look at just one year," he said. "I think you kind of look at two or three years and I'm proud of the fact that I've won 52 games over the last three years as a starter. The more times you get put in those opportunities and you have success, I think it gives you more confidence.

"But as far as being a free agent goes, I really put no stock all year in worrying about next year. Why should I start now?"

Before last night's game, Lowe had no way of knowing whether tonight will represent a chance to win the Series or merely give them a 3-to-1 lead. But either scenario was fine with him.

"Individually and as a team," he said, "we've never really put much stock into what (the situation) is. There's always pressure, I don't care if it's Game 1 or Game 7. There's always pressure to win. Obviously, whenever I pitch, we're going to have the lead.

"But I'll have the same preparation as I did in Game 4 and Game 7 against New York when we were down."