Jim Tracy Starter Quotations

Not all of our starters are 22 years old, but we do have four of them that are 24 or less. We have to allow a little bit of time to allow these guys to have the opportunity to stabilize themselves.

It's going to be tough to score off us in the latter part of the game. If a starter has the know-how and capability of getting 18 outs with a slim lead, we're in pretty good shape.

Giving up four or five runs through five innings with your starter ... that's a lot of runs to give up and expect to win.

Paul did a fine job. He displayed the characteristics necessary to become a consistent starter at this level. I wouldn't be surprised if you saw more of that in 2006.

DePodesta said Cruz's recent play compares favorably with his earlier years. His .783 on-base plus slugging percentage is higher than that of Dodgers starters Cesar Izturis, Jason Phillips, Jason Repko, Oscar Robles, Jose Valentin and Werth.