Los Angeles Dodgers

Andre Ethier is a beast. That much we know. In a core outfield consisting of Manny Ramirez and Matt Kemp, Ethier is the one which shines brightest. Each season he continues to get better at the batters' box, and in what is his best season so far, he has many speaking of a triple crown bid.

At 28, Andre is at his peak and could pull a triple crown off. However, there has not been a triple crown winner since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.

As it stands, the Dodgers are 15-17.

This is an appalling statistic for a team loaded with talent. Unfortunately the Dodgers are one dimensional and can't play with the mentality of always climbing uphill; mainly due to the fact that it isn't uncommon to be down five runs in the third inning.

The remedy would make for a story comparable to the Manny Ramirez trade. Eight letters encompass what the Dodgers desperately need: Cliff Lee.

At least Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre was able to keep a few arms fresh in the bullpen Sunday afternoon.

Despite Clayton Kershaw's brilliant 2-0 win over the Colorado Rockies Sunday, Torre remains uncertain about his starters Tuesday and beyond, as the Dodgers open up a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday.

As if the scrutiny from the media, fans, and upper management weren't enough, Joe Torre and his staff are faced with several important roster decisions in the days and weeks ahead.

As of May 7, the Dodgers find themselves with six players on the disabled list. Of those six players, Brad Ausmus' return will be the simplest to arrange, albeit that won't occur till the end of June.

Rafael Furcal hopes to rejoin the boys in blue in mid-to-late May, and at this point it seems as if shortstop Nick Green will be sent back down to Albuquerque.

The big behemoth from Georgia lumbered to the mound to begin the top of the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead Thursday evening, in Chavez Ravine.

Jonathan Broxton closes games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, or he’s supposed to anyway.

Triple-digit fastballs, and 90 mph sliders don’t generally greet hitters with a smile.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are approaching a pivotal stretch in the 2010 season. The next 11 out of 17 games the team will play will be against division opponents.

Two National League Championship series in two years. Two division titles, but no championship.

Now five-plus years into ownership for the Los Angeles Dodgers, one phrase dominates the nightmares of Frank McCourt's personal life: "What have you done for us lately?"

Picture it: Divorce papers scattered by a whirlwind in the master bedroom, those words written in red all over the walls, and a man meagerly huddled in the corner clutching his knees and a glass of scotch while muttering, "I never should have put a ring on it."

As of this writing, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in last place in the National League West, with an 11-16 record. The Milwaukee Brewers have scored 11 runs on them the past two nights.

Most Dodger fans did not expect this, with the team coming off two straight NLCS appearances with a good core of young players.

However, when the season started, I was afraid that this swooning futility might happen, sorry to say.

Here, in my humble opinion, is why the Dodgers are where they are at this point:

Injuries

Some unfamiliar faces have been spotted around the Los Angeles Dodgers dugout lately, but suddenly the number in the "W" column is going up. Meanwhile, the pitching has stepped it up with the return of some familiar faces and the infusion of some new ones.

There may be cause for panic in Tinsel Town, as the Boys in Blue are off to a rough start, but no need to sell the farm just yet.

The Dodgers still have a lot to live for, and a lot to look forward to.
So far 2010 has been marked by poor defense, streaking hitting and pitching that looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

The Dodgers are off to an 8-13 record entering a nine game homestand. The road has been rough on the Dodgers, but then again home still doesn't feel like home.