With just eight weeks left in the regular season, the Dodgers are struggling to get back to their early season form. Otherwise, they might be spending this fall playing patty-cake rather than baseball.
With a set outfield of Shane Victorino (CF), Matt Kemp (LF) and Andre Ethier (RF), that is one less area of concern. Their pitching is also in pretty good shape for a stretch run, with a starting rotation of Chris Capuano (10-8), Clayton Kershaw (9-6), Chad Billingsly (8-9), Aaron Harang (7-7), and Joe Blanton (4-3), along with Ronald Belisario (3-1), Javy Guerra (2-3, 8 saves), and Kenley Jansen (5-3, 22 saves) holding down the relief duties.
The team's strengths include A J Ellis (C), Mark Ellis (2B), James Loney (1B) and Luis Cruz (SS). There are some weaknesses at 3rd base and on the bench, but those could be resolved with a few faces coming off the disabled list -- specifically infielders Dee Gordon and Justin Sellers.
Rosters expand to forty in just three weeks, where we will probably see the return of Bobby Abreu, Jerry Sands, Scott Van Slyke, Tony Gwynn, and others.
With just a few breaks, the Dodgers could be a force to be reckoned with in the post season this year.
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