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The Los Angeles Dodgers are back to .500, at 45-45, for the first time since April 30 after completing a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
The Bums have a shot at a winning record for the first time since April 15 this week against the Colorado Rockies, who have lost 18 of their past 27 games but are still very much in the thick of the NL West. While Colorado and the rest of the teams in the division have struggled, the Dodgers are 15-3 since falling a season-high 12 games under .500 on June 21. If it can earn a sweep over the Rockies, Los Angeles has a strong chance of entering the All-Star break atop the NL West standings. Three out of four over Colorado would probably put the Dodgers there, as well.
Hanley Ramirez, who hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the 14th inning off of D-Backs reliever Josh Collmenter in the Dodgers' series finale at Arizona, is hitting .409/.452/.739 in 126 plate appearances this season and is looking like every bit of his former self. Still, Ramirez is being overshadowed in every way by rookie teammate Yasiel Puig, who boasts a line of .394/.428/.634 and might very well end up on the NL All-Star squad.
For more on Puig and the surging Dodgers, we bring in Ben Haber of SB Nation's Dodgers community True Blue LA. For an optimal reading experience, I'd recommend listening to PUIG DESTROYER's hit single, "1 Man, 5 Tools" on a constant loop while viewing the remainder of this article.
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Bryan Kilpatrick: So, Yasiel Puig ... (chuckles) ... if that guy isn't the talk of the town, huh? How do you feel about all of these All-Star Game shenanigans?
Ben Haber: There are lots of stars out here in LA, so the Puig story has kind of been overlooked. I just noticed he was hitting over .400, which seems to be pretty good, but if I did my job well only 40 percent of the time, I’d get fired. Instead, Puig gets praised!? Not fair at all.
About the All-Star Game? Puig should go. Fans want to see the most exciting and best players, and Puig fits the bill.
* -- Not for long!
BK: Do you think Puig should be allowed to play in the NBA All-Star Game?
BH: Puig continuously draws comparisons to Bo Jackson, so maybe the NFL Pro Bowl would work better. At 6’3, 245 pounds, he could be a nasty linebacker, and he is already pretty tough. Puig stayed in the game despite getting nailed in the face. I doubt Ray Lewis could even do that.
Regarding the NBA All-Star game, I seriously doubt it. Puig would lead the NBA in turnovers and charges because of his over-aggressive mentality.
BK: What do you think Puig is doing RIGHT NOW? Our readers HAVE to know.
BH: Right now, as I answer this question, it’s 9:29 a.m. on Wednesday. I don’t need to guess what Puig is doing; I know what Puig is doing. Puig is currently working out and benching upwards of 400-plus pounds, and he won't be sore tomorrow. While doing so, he is learning that balls five feet outside of the strike zone shouldn’t be swung at.
BK: Luis Cruz is hitting .240 for the Yankees, nearly doubling his batting average from while he was in LA ... (chuckles again) ... I bet the Dodgers community is really up in arms about the team letting him go, huh?
BH: To be honest, most Dodgers fans aren’t aware Luis Cruz got released. So, Bryan, I think you are the bearer of bad news. Cruz rarely played for the Dodgers over the last couple weeks, therefore it’s hard to notice his departure. Although, some people realize Cruz is raking for the Yankees at .240, and are demanding general manager Ned Colletti is fired for the decision.
BK: Okay okay, let's get serious here ... What do the Dodgers need to do to win the NL West? Do they just hold steady and let the rest of the teams in the division continue to vomit all over themselves, or does LA need to make another move?
BH: Believe it or not, the Dodgers are sitting pretty right now. Don Mattingly’s club probably has the best hitting and starting pitching in the NL West. However, defense and bullpen issues could be their Achilles heel.
To win the division, the boys in blue need to cut down on the errors and avoid the injury bug. Almost every key contributor for the Dodgers has been injured, excluding Clayton Kershaw. The recent winning trend comes in direct correlation to the team’s least amount of impactful DL stints.
The Dodgers will look to upgrade their bullpen at the trade deadline. Besides Kenley Jansen and Paco Rodriguez, there are no other consistent pieces out of the pen. In addition, Colletti could be on the hunt for a new second baseman. Conversely, the core has already been assembled and no more major moves will be made. Acquiring Ricky Nolasco was the Dodgers' biggest splash, solidifying the back-end of the rotation.
Regardless of the Dodgers' roster plans, their current talent should be enough to earn the NL West crown.
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Probable pitchers
Game 1: Thursday, July 11 at 8:10 p.m. MT (ROOT Sports)
Drew Pomeranz (0-2, 9.72 ERA) vs. Chris Capuano (2-6, 5.19 ERA)
Game 2: Friday, July 12 at 8:10 p.m. MT (ROOT Sports) **NO-HITTER ALERT**
Juan Nicasio (4-4, 5.31) vs. Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 1.89)
Game 3: Saturday, July 13 at 5:10 p.m. MT (FOX)
Tyler Chatwood (5-2, 2.74) vs. Zack Greinke (7-2, 3.91)
Game 4: Sunday, July 14 at 2:10 p.m. MT (ROOT Sports)
Jhoulys Chacin (8-4, 3.62) vs. Ricky Nolasco (6-8, 3.70)
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