Los Angeles Dodgers

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Be sure to listen to Sports Overnight America, where I will discuss the final three weeks of the season with Patrick Mauro tonight at 11 PM (PST). Listen here!

Hiroki Kuroda gave up two runs on just three hits in eight strong innings, and the Dodgers touched-up Merkin Valdez and Bob Howry in a five-run seventh inning in a 10-3 Dodger rout to open a three-game set at AT&T Park in San Francisco, in front of 39,212.

If you’ve followed the National League West this season, complete this sentence:

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost starting pitcher Eric Milton for an extended period of time after he underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a herniated disc from his back. The 33-year-old is most likely out for the rest of the season.

The initial injury occurred sometime during an outing against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 5.

During the game, Milton failed to cover first base on a ground ball. When Milton returned to the dugout, he denied that he had been hurt. However, manager Joe Torre saw Milton grasping his back and knew something was most likely wrong.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (56-32) played their final game before breaking for the All-Star game. They took two out of three from the Milwaukee Brewers (45-43) over the weekend and capped off the first half with a 7-4 win on Sunday afternoon.

The offense kept on rolling for the Blue Crew as James Loney went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Brad Ausmus hit his first home run of the season, and All-Star second baseman Orlando Hudson homered from both sides of the plate.

Some guy named Manny Ramirez also went 3-for-3 with two doubles.

The All-Star break is less than a week away and it’s time to take a look at how the first half has treated the five NL West teams.

Last week I updated the progress of the Dodgers, Giants, and Rockies in the month of June. This breakdown will be focused on the entire first half production (or lack of production) for all of the NL West clubs.

Now is not a good time to be a Mets fan. Injuries to three key everyday players have left the Mets with what looks like a AAA lineup that can’t score any runs. The possible return of Oliver Perez this week sounds like nails scratching on a chalkboard. Oh yeah, and the team with the best record in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, come to town for a three-game set starting Tuesday.

"Manny was of a mind, 'Just let me take batting practice.'  I encouraged him to play games.  If he's going to miss 50 games, then he's going to have to do something."  Joe Torre stated this in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated's Dan Patrick.

Yes, Manny should continue to play and practice baseball.  With him missing 50 games, that is a lot of time to get out of shape.

Why should Manny get to return before his 50-game suspension?

Three members of the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers have been selected to join the National League All-Stars for July 14th contest in St. Louis at Busch Stadium.

Closer Jonathan Broxton, starting pitcher Chad Billingsley, and second baseman Orlando Hudson are on the NL roster, with outfielder Matt Kemp still under consideration as one of the five finalists for the last spot on the roster.

Isn't it amazing how sports shape our perceptions of people?

Remember just two years ago when Barry Bonds was chasing the all-time home run record? Who gave him the most grief on the road?

Dodger fans.

The same Dodger fans who have turned their head to the fact that their guy actually was caught for PEDs. The same Dodger fans who doesn't believe that Bonds could have taken steroids unknowingly doesn't think or doesn't care what Manny Ramirez does, because he's their guy now.