“You were pretty as can be, sitting in the front seat
Looking at me, telling me you love me
And your happy to be with me on the 4th of July”

~Shooter Jennings 

It’s been four days since the news came that Clayton Kershaw would be put on the disabled list for his back. I’m definitely feeling better now than I did then. In those four days, all the Dodgers have done is win every game, allowing only one run from opposing teams, welcomed back a long lost starter, and gained a game on San Francisco Giants in the standings.

A sweep of the Colorado Rockies is just what the doctor ordered. Newly acquired Bud Norris was splendid in his debut, going six innings and only giving up two hits while striking out eight. Scott Kazmir followed up with six strong innings, giving up three hits and striking out 10. Brandon McCarthy had a brilliant comeback start. After missing all of last season, he went five innings, gave up two hits and struck out eight. Good timing with hitting a slumping Colorado, maybe, but great confidence builders for Norris and McCarthy.

Joc Pederson went on the disabled list at the same time as Kershaw, after making a spectacular catch while running into a wall. Trayce Thompson has taken over center field duties, and is hitting .360 with a double and two home runs.

Corey Seager is proving that the voters got it wrong and he should be the starting shortstop for the All-Star Game next week. He is in the middle of a 16 game hitting streak, tying Steve Sax and Andre Ethier with longest hitting streak for a Dodgers rookie. His batting average is now above .300 at .303. Over the last 15 games, he is hitting a phenomenal .446. Rookie of the First Half, and well on his way to being Rookie of the Year.

Resident Butter and Egg man, Adrian Gonzalez has finally started to heat it up. This last week, he is hitting .476 and driving in six runs. Yasiel Puig continues being hot since his return from the DL, hitting .368 in his last seven games.

Overall, the Dodgers are on a nine-game winning streak at Dodger Stadium, their longest since they won 13 in a row in 2009. They are also 10 games over .500 for this first time this season. It could be purely coincidental, as they were playing two mediocre teams in Milwaukee and Colorado, but having a win streak is good to see. With all the injuries this team has incurred this season so far, it would so easy to roll over and die. Blame the injuries and forget about the season. But other players have stepped up, the pitching staff has really done an excellent job, and they’ve won the games they need to win. As I stated in a previous post, they just need to tread water until the full cavalry is back. The Baltimore Orioles pose a tougher task, as they come into Dodger Stadium with the same amount of wins as the Dodgers and a first place hold on the AL East. But ending the first half against the San Diego Padres, I see no reason the Dodgers can’t continue to play well and go 5-2 for the remainder of the home stand.