After cruising the first half of the season (the team had The Best Record in Baseball) now the Los Angeles Dodgers are stumbling and staggering in the Dog Days of Summer. The Dodgers are just 4-6 in their last 10 games including an embarrassing series loss to the Atlanta Braves. They lost 3 out of 4 to a non-contender.
The Dodgers have seemed to start losing steam when the controversial slugger Manny Ramirez came back from suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancer. In no way am I suggesting he's brought the team down, he's beloved in the clubhouse for his jovial nature, and beloved on the field by the fans for the way he can crush a ball at the right time. The team just seems out of whack. One night they'll put up 17 runs the next night they'll score 1. One night they'll score 9 runs the next night 1.
September is vastly approaching and if they want to hold off the Pitching heavy San Francisco Giants, and the "never say die" Colorado Rockies they'll have to play consistent baseball from here on out. The Dodgers have a comfortable lead and a manager in Joe Torre who knows how to manage down the stretch but still, there are quality teams in the surprising NL West this season. The key to success in baseball is always stellar pitching, superb defense, and timely hitting. Hopefully the Dodgers will figure out how to click on all cylinders consistently from now until the end of the season, and hopefully it will carry on until the post season. "The Kids" as I call them are quickly becoming seasoned veterans so now is the time to act like it, beating the Giants last night is a start but lets see if it will lead to a finish as well.
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