So, it just might be that these Dodgers are pretty good. After sweeping a four-game series with the Mets, they head into a series with the second place Colorado Rockies riding a seven game winning streak. They’ve won 13 of their last 14 games.
This is the team we’ve all been waiting for. They are offensively clicking on all cylinders. Multiple home runs hit by multiple players every night. During the Mets series alone, 15 home runs were hit by eight different players. That’s the most home runs the Dodgers have ever hit in a single series.
After the game Thursday night, Enrique Hernandez told reporters: “We’re probably the hottest team in baseball right now.”
And he could very well be right. At this moment, they have baseball’s highest run differential at +123, the longest current winning streak at seven, and the best record in the National League as well as sole possession of first place in the NL West.
Everything seems to be going right. Case in point — Dave Roberts left Pedro Baez in the game to hit in the seventh inning on Thursday night, instead of pinch hitter Corey Seager, Dodgers only up by one, and he took a four pitch, bases loaded walk. When you’re hot, you’re hot.
Of course, there are still some flaws in the team. The number of home runs that Clayton Kershaw has allowed so far is a bit alarming. Starting pitching besides Kershaw seemingly has not being able to go long into games. Why Chris Hatcher pitches in close games leaves a lot of fans scratching their heads. But I have confidence Kershaw will figure that out, and Hatcher either will get better, or not be around to pitch come the postseason. The starting pitching will begin to lengthen out. And even if it doesn’t, it’s less mileage on those arms for the postseason, on a team that effectively has six starting pitchers anyway. Who says you can’t use multiple long relief guys in a game?
But those are all worries are for another time. Right now, Dodger baseball is just plain fun to watch. They have one of the best pitchers in the game in Kershaw. They have the reigning rookie of the year in Seager, and quite possibly his successor in Cody Bellinger. Justin Turner (although not officially, due to time spent on the DL) leads all of MLB with a .387 batting average. The budding bromance between Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. The best closer in the game in Kenley Jansen, who has 50 strikeouts against zero walks. Along with a whole bunch of under-the-national-radar players like Kiké, Alex Wood and Brandon McCarthy.
The Dodgers are at their best right now, which is perfect timing heading into a huge series with the Rockies. Colorado has lead the division most of the year, on the backs of four talented rookie pitchers. LA has finally caught and passed them, and could start to put some serious distance between themselves and the Rockies. My bet is on our rookies (and close to rookies) faring better than theirs.
(FOLLOW ANDY ON TWITTER: @DODGERGIRLINPA)