He's the other Kevin on the pitching staff. Not Millwood . . . McGlinchy.

Millwood is the All-Star starter, McGlinchy the 22-year-old rookie reliever who has also had an outstanding year, but without the same level of attention.

"Two innings here, two innings there, I've been kind of out there hiding a little bit," said McGlinchy. "That's the thing about the bullpen. You never know when it's going to be your time to go, so you've just got to be ready."

He was ready Saturday, pitching two scoreless innings --- the seventh and eighth --- in the 1-0 loss to the Marlins. McGlinchy struck out the first four batters and sat down all six he faced.

"McGlinchy threw the ball really well," said Braves manager Bobby Cox. "He was strong."

The 6-foot-5 right-hander relies on three pitches --- the fastball he's always had, plus his improved slider and forkball. "All three were working, so that's a plus," he said.

In 64 appearances this year, McGlinchy has a 7-3 record while pitching 70 1/3 innings with a 2.82 ERA.

It's hard to believe that most of last season he was playing Class A ball in Danville, Va., of the Carolina League. McGlinchy was promoted to AA in August 1998, then leapfrogged over AAA to join the Braves.

"It's a weird thing. . . . I kind of know where I stand now," said the native of Malden, Mass. "I know I can pitch up here, definitely.

"Going into the postseason, I feel totally confident with my stuff. I've just go to stay focused and be on the attack."

McGlinchy has mixed in well with the rest of the bullpen.

"I think what he's done this year has been nothing short of unbelievable," said Mike Remlinger. "He's been a big part of the season and he's going to be a big part of the postseason. It's been fun to watch someone that young do as well as he's done."

Remlinger said McGlinchy's slider has come a long way this season and his forkball now gives him a weapon against lefties. And he perfected those pitches under fire.

"He was pitching in games that mattered, in situations where you couldn't afford to make a mistake," Remlinger said. "That's so impressive about what he's done: He's pitched in 1-2 run games, and handled it as well as any of us. "

Sure, McGlinchy would like to be a starter again, as he was in the minors.

But, he said, "I like what I'm doing now. I've responsibly taken that role and tried to do the best I can for the team. Whatever they want me to do is fine with me. I'm a reliever. . . until I'm a starter. Then I'll be a starter."