Torre is a fine manager over a long season... but he seldom gambles and often waits things to happen... rather than making them happen. In a short series... that will kill you more often than not.
Sounds like he would fit well with Billy Beane in Oakland. Beanes' philosophy is great for the owner's, and for a 162 game schedule, but in a short series, you still need a combination of luck, skill and teamwork to win.