Mannywould?

LOS ANGELES - Dodgers manager Joe Torre expects big things from his left fielder.

He expects Manny to hit like Manny.

Sort of.

"You know, if he stays the line drive hitter the hitter he is, I know he's done a lot of damage with how many home runs he's hit in his career and his capabilities but he hits line drives and they go out of the ballpark," Torre said. "So I think if he just thinks line drive, I'm going to be comfortable with it.  We've seen both guys over the last week or 10 days.  Friday night wasn't very good.  Saturday was like night and day the next day.  So I think he's understanding of that."

In 104 games during the regular season, Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBIs. He was suspended for 50 games earlier in the season for violating the league's drug policy and has struggled to find his groove at the plate since his return.

Ramirez had five hits in his final 30 at-bats of the regular season and was booed by the fans at Dodger Stadium during the final weekend of games.<p>

Torre is not worried. Concerned? Maybe.

 "I think we forget and I don't remind people enough about missing 50 games and then no having Spring Training is not easy to start playing again, especially with the expectations that come with him," Torre said. "So I don't think he's ever been as comfortable as he would like to be."

The manager said he also expects his team to bounce back from inconsistent play to wrap up the regular season. The Dodgers endured a five-game losing streak during the final week of the season and did not clinch the NL West until the final weekend of play.

"This is a whole new ball game," Torre said. "It's the five‑game season and there's plenty of emotion and passion and excitement and all that stuff.  I think we all fall victim to the last week or 10 days that you peek up at the finish line and you get a little anxious.  But I don't think it was any more than that.  I don't think there will be any carry over."