Things we learned from last night's game (7/26/11)

Two of the three reasons the Dodgers are almost in third place.

Overview: If you have a K starting either your first or last name, you should be playing for the Dodgers.  Dodgers beat the Rockies, 3-2.  

Pros: Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, and Kenley Jansen. Is there any question that without Kemp & Kershaw, the Dodgers would be dead last?  One of the biggest disappointments of this season, in my opinion, is that because of the off-field circus and the on-field mediocrity of the team, the main stream media is overlooking the MVP/Cy Young seasons these two are putting together.  For them to put up the numbers they've got, surrounded by no offense and pretty shoddy defense, is nothing short of amazing.  They make the Dodgers competitive every time they're on the field.  And you can add Kenley Jansen to that rare list of valuable 2011 Dodgers- he just embarrassed Chris Iannetta, Seth Smith and Dexter Fowler in the ninth, racking up a pop up and two strikeouts in SEVEN PITCHES.  That boy's good!

Cons: Andre Ethier and Jamey Carroll were the only other hitters to reach base more than once.  Furcal went 0 for 3, and only reached because Ty Wigginton was playing left field and isn't quite sure what to do when a baseball is hit towards him.  Juan Rivera is turning back into a pumpkin.  Our most reliable number 5 hitter continues to be Aaron Miles.  

What we learned: Make no mistake- while the Dodgers won this game, it wasn't because they were better- they just happened to be lucky.  No one should be looking at this current four game winning streak thinking we have any chance at better than third in the division this season.  We're not trying to be negative here, just realistic about the fact that the best long-term course of action for this team is to sell off whoever we can and acquire some prospects.