21 Days

21 days. That’s all it took. In just 21 wonderful days the Dodgers made up 9.5 games in the standings to catch the Giants. Both clubs enter today in a flat-footed tie for first place in the NL West. The Dodgers turned their season around and it only took 21 days. I love being wrong.

It’s important to look back on why the Dodgers were able to do what they’ve done. Is it just another well-timed hot streak? Maybe. Some people think so. The Dodgers are now 17-10 in the month of June, and have won seven of their last ten, and 12 of their last 16. Meanwhile the Giants have lost four in a row, and were just recently swept at home by the Reds in four games.

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This run isn’t exactly like last year’s run. The Dodgers aren’t winning every single game like they were last year. They still have yet to win more than four consecutive games. But they are winning series. As a matter of fact, the Dodgers haven’t lost a series in weeks. Winning series is most important.

So is this just a well-timed hot streak? Possibly.  Or it’s a well-timed Giant’s slump for us. Not sure. I still think the slump has directly correlated with the Giants losing Angel Pagan. Either way, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is the end result.

What’s funny is that the Giants are still in this. They could easily turn things around. They’re tied for first place and ten games over .500. But it seems like the Dodgers have already won the division and it’s not July yet. That’s how things are going now. The Dodgers are winning. The Giants are losing. It’s a lot of fun.

Why couldn’t the Dodgers win in April and May? Why do they play like such crap until June, then win 89 of their next 88 games. I have no idea. Of course having the best pitcher on the planet helps too. Clayton Kershaw has been like a god. No, wait, he is a god. Clayton Kershaw is a god. I can’t think of any other way to explain his incredible talent. He now has thrown 28 consecutive scoreless frames. He’s 6-0 in the month of June, and threw his first career no-hitter. But the rest of the Dodger’s starting staff have been terrific. The Dodgers rank third in all of Baseball in staff ERA. The Dodgers are second in the MLB with a 2.63 ERA in June.

So the Dodgers are getting great starting pitching, and they’ve also been getting great defense as well. Remember when this club couldn’t play defense? Gloveless wonders they are not anymore. The Dodgers have only made six errors this month, and led the league in defensive efficiency, and fielding percentage in the month of June.

It’s not just the great pitching and improved defense. The club now ranks fifth in all of baseball in hitting with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers are batting .269 with 18 home runs in the clutch. The hits are starting to drop in. The club seems to be playing as a team now. They’re finally a cohesive unit. All for one, and one for all now.

The day has come. The Dodgers no longer stink anymore. Now just the Giants stink. Buckle up Dodger fans, it’s bound to be a wild ride from here on out.