Dodgers: Five ways to instantly improve the team

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May 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) shake hands before the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

As Clayton Kershaw steps on the mound tonight against the San Diego Padres, the questions continue to swirl about the near future of Dodgers’ baseball.

Teetering on the edge of .500, still not showing life against left-handed pitching and in a quandary with what to do with a pitcher’s blister.

Deep breath. Things are not as bad as they seem.

Although the first month of the season hasn’t gone as expected, there is plenty of time to reclaim their throne atop the NL West and make a run to the World Series. Three games behind the Rockies in the division with a four-game series coming up in Colorado in the middle of May. And, last but not least, Clayton Kershaw takes the mound every fifth day, so how bad can things be?

Keep Kershaw in mind, the best pitcher in baseball right now, how much longer does this dominance last? For Los Angeles, the time to win a championship is now, they only get one Clayton Kershaw, and they have to utilize that to the best of their ability. If that means giving up a piece of the future or having another veteran put their pride aside for the youth to thrive, then that must be done.

With over 130 games to be played, there certainly will be more ups and downs. The important things are to make sure there are more ups than downs. Here are five things that the Dodgers could do that I believe would make them instantly better.

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