Dodgers Turning Things Around

The Los Angeles Dodgers are quickly turning things around, as most of us knew they would. Sure, the pitching was terrbile for the first month or so, but it has gotten better and the Dodgers are playing exceedingly well.

The Dodgers will look to extend their recent streak to an impressive 10 games. During this streak, the Dodgers have seen their horrendous pitching staff turn things around, and as a result the team ERA has been lowered to a solid 4.31 (11th in NL). Opponents are now just hitting .249 against LA pitching, and the Dodgers have continued to log quality starts (20 total QS–7th in NL).

Despite losing Andre Either, who headed to the 15-day DL, the Dodgers won last night in part because of the fact that their offense is just on a tear right now. The Dodgers have scored 203 runs (3rd in NL) so far this season, and are batting as a team .273/.345/.425. The team’s OPS of .771 ranks third in the National League.

Hiroki Kuroda, who won his fifth game of the season last night, is quietly emerging as the clear ace of the staff. Kuroda (5-1, 2.87 ERA) continues to pitch exceptionally well for the Dodgers. In addition to Kuroda, Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw are also starting to turn things around for LA. Billingsley, who struggled throughout the first month of the season, notched his fourth win last week, and will look to continue his recent success. And Clayton Kershaw, who the Dodgers have a ton of confidence in, is currently 3-2 with a 3.55 ERA.

If the Dodgers pitching can continue their recent success, the Dodgers should be okay without Either for a while. I mean, they dealt with not having Manny for 50 games last season pretty well. Tonight, Ramon Ortiz will look to help the Dodgers extend their streak to 10 games. San Diego will counter with Jon Garland (4-2, 1.88 ERA).