It just FEELS like they're a .500 team

All right...

I know what you're all probably thinking. The Dodgers are currently 43-23. The closest team to them in the division standings is 8.5 games out. They've gone 22-15 (.595) in the six weeks that they've been without their best hitter. They've got three relievers with ERAs under 2.50, three starters with ERAs under 3.50 and six hitters with OPSs of .800 or better. They're second in the NL in runs scored and second in OBP. They're first in the NL in ERA and BAA. Basically, they're a very balanced, deep, good team. So why have many of my recent posts about them been about Andruw Jones and Jason Schmidt and how much wins suck as a stat because Guillermo Mota has as many as Randy Wolf? Why am I being such a spoiled little bitch about their fantastic season?

Well, here's the thing: the Dodgers aren't really this good. I mean, come on: Ronald Belisario and Ramon Troncoso are combining for a 2.32 ERA in 81.1 innings. 2.32! Had you ever heard of either one of them before I mentioned them just now? Don't be embarrassed if you hadn't, because I'm the most diehard Dodger fan there is and I had no idea who Belisario was until Opening Day. Then you've got Eric Milton and his 2.89 ERA (?????), Brent Leach (who?) and his 3.65 ERA, and Guillermo Mota and his current consecutive scoreless inning streak of 12.1 (you see what I mean? This is fucking "Twlight Zone" material.)...and it just seems like everyone's playing way over their heads. Eventually, guys will tire and guys will start to get hit, and the Dodgers won't be winning all these 1-0 and 3-2 games. Ned Colletti will probably have to acquire a relief pitcher to help give some of those other guys a break, and the last time the Dodgers were in that situation Colletti acquired 43-year-old Roberto Hernandez. So color me skeptical in that regard.

So, wait...do the Dodgers actually suck and they've just gotten by on pure luck to this point? Hell no. Their offense is legitimately good; their lineup is full of patient hitters who work the count and know what to do in every game situation. Starting pitchers rarely last past the sixth inning against them because they have to throw so many pitches, so the Dodgers see more atbats against crappy middle relievers than any team in baseball. And that's not even counting the Manny Ramirez factor; throw him back into that lineup and they're the same team that was killing fools by 7-8 runs in late April and early May. Plus, good hitters like James Loney, Rafael Furcal, and Russell Martin haven't really even gotten going yet (combined batting average of .255?). Who knows if they ever will, but if they do they'll be a huge boost as well.

So, in conclusion, are the Dodgers a great team, capable of playing their current .652 ball for the rest of the season and finishing with 106 wins? No. But are they still a very good team capable of getting to the playoffs? Sure. And yes, I am enjoying the ride, contrary to what this blog might have you think; when Kemp hit his walkoff single in the ninth a couple nights ago, I jumped up and fist-pumped in celebration. Trust me, I'm not becoming complacent or spoiled; I'm just being level-headed and cautious. But I'm definitely having fun following the team; let there be no doubt about that.