Dodgers hit a bump in the road

It was bound to happen.

The Dodgers would stop winning like Dave Roberts had made a deal with the Devil.

Last night Rich Hill got touched up for five runs in the first inning in his first start since carrying a perfect game into the ninth inning and losing on a 10th inning homer.

The Dodgers have now lost three in a row. Milwaukee took two of three in Los Angeles and the Dodgers dropped a 7-6 decision to Arizona last night.

You think there is any panic in Dodgertown?

Nope.

Clayton Kershaw pitched a rehab assignment over the weekend and looked good. He will start on Friday. Cody Bellinger, out for about a week with a sprained ankle, returns to the lineup tonight.

The Dodgers still lead Arizona by 19 games.

Nineteen games.

If Kershaw is healthy and Alex Wood's shoulder is ok, the Dodgers will make it to the World Series. Yu Darvish is back in the rotation and Kenta Maeda and Hyun Jin-Ryu are pitching lights out, trying to earn a spot in the playoff rotation.

Offensively, this team is gangbusters. A good pitcher may keep them quiet for a night or two, but they eventually bust out.

Doctors and trainers may decide championship

A funny thing happened on the way to the World Series.

The Dodgers, 21 games up in the NL West and on course for a date in the World Series, are having injury problems.

Clayton Kershaw is pitching a rehab assignment this weekend, Yu Darvish is scheduled to come off the DL this weekend, and Alex Wood is on now on the 10-day DL with shoulder problems.

The Dodgers have been one of the most frequent users of the new 10-day DL, which allows teams to park a player on a 10-day list rather than a more long-term shelf.

But that means that the Dodgers' top three pitchers are less than 100 percent as we wind down August and move into the final month of  the season.

Kershaw wanted to pitch this weekend but the Dodgers' brass is proceeding with ultimate caution.

That's a luxury you can afford when you have a 21-game lead in your division.

Darvish experienced some back tightness and Wood some inflammation in his shoulder. Wood told reporters this week that he could pitch if necessary but the team is being careful with its arms.

Speaking of arms, Rich Hill lost a 1-0 heartbreaker last night when he gave up a 10th inning home run against Pittsburgh that snapped a no-hitter, shutout and possible win all in one swing. Hill was masterful, taking a perfect game into the ninth inning before a Logan Forsythe error at third broke up the perfecto.

What's encouraging is that Hill was on his game and appears healthy going into the home stretch.

Manager Dave Roberts will have to use a call-up from Oklahoma City or pitch a bullpen game due to the number of pitchers with wounded wings.

In the end, the work of the team doctors and trainers may have a significant impact on L.A.'s post season fortunes.

Granderson has found a home

When the Dodgers acquired Curtis Granderson from the Mets last week there was some question as to where Granderson would fit in.

Sure, Joc Pederson was struggling but the conventional wisdom was that with Adrian Gonzalez back at first base, Cody Bellinger would move to left and Chris Taylor would shift to center, putting Pederson on the bench.

But Granderson's arrival pushed Pederson to Oklahoma City where he can restructure his swing with Granderson getting the start in left when Bellinger suffered a mild ankle sprain.

Granderson took Justin Verlander deep in a 6-1 loss on Sunday and last night his grand slam put the Dodgers up 5-3 in the seventh in a game Yasiel Puig finally won with a 12th inning home run for a 6-5 victory.

When Bellinger returns from his ankle sprain, Dave Roberts will have Bellinger, Granderson, Puig and Taylor to rotate in the outfield, giving him a strategic advantage in matchups. All four are swinging hot bats, which means Roberts' main challenge will be finding enough at-bats for all of them.

Taylor's versatility means he can play in the infield as well, giving Roberts more options.

Gonzalez has returned with a vengeance, stroking a double to right on Sunday and just missing a grand slam last night with a deep fly to center. L.A.'s batting order is starting to look like an All-Star team with Taylor, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Bellinger, Granderson, Puig, Gonzalez, Logan Forsythe, Chase Utley, Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes all capable of doing some damage.

It's called an embarrassment of riches.

Puig is latest walkoff hero

Yasiel Puig plays with passion. When he gets a big hit he kisses hitting coach Turner Ward on the cheek.

All of that passion was on display last night in Chavez Ravine when he crushed a 95 mph fastball from Chicago's Jake Petricka into the gap in left center, scoring Logan Forsythe and Austin Barnes to give the Dodgers a stunning 5-4 come-from-behind, walk-off victory.

The Dodgers went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-2 and it looked like they were going to have to settle for a split of their two-game set against the White Sox.

But this team has no quit in it.

After Justin Turner flied out to left center, Cody Bellinger poked a pinch-hit single to center on an excuse me safety swing on a 2-2 pitch. Belllinger is known for his sweeping power swing that has produced 34 homers in his rookie season but this was a protect the plate, reach for it swing for a single.

Chicago brought in Petricka to pitch to Logan Forsythe, who promptly crushed a line drive down the left field line, plating Bellinger for a 4-3 score with one out.

Barnes then cracked an 0-1 fastball to center but Forsythe had to stop at third because the ball was hit so hard.

That brought Puig to the plate. Puig worked Petricka to a full count, fouling off several low pitches that could have put him on first and loaded the bases. Petricka then tried to get a fastball past Puig but he stroked the game-winner into left center, scoring Forsythe and Barnes, who was moving from first on the pitch and scored easily, setting off yet another Dodgers' celebration.

Yu Darvish gave up three runs on three homers and eight hits in six innings of work for a no-decision with Brandon Morrow, Tony Watson and Ross Stripling working in relief.

The Dodgers are off today before starting a seven-game road trip to Detroit and Pittsburgh on Friday.

And this magical season continues.

Dodgers in uncharted waters

Here are a few of my favorite things:

• The Dodgers have not lost a series since early June.
• They are 18 games ahead of Arizona and Colorado, which figure to make the playoffs and face off in the Wild Card game. The winner gets the Dodgers in the NLDS.
• Justin Turner is leading the league with a .346 batting average and hit two dingers last night as the Dodgers took two out of three from San Diego.
• Rookie Cody Bellinger has 34 homers and 79 RBI and he wasn't called up until late April.
• Ace Clayton Kershaw is getting close to returning to the starting rotation after suffering back spasms.
• Adrian Gonzalez is getting close to returning to the lineup. If he's healthy and gets his stroke back, an already intimidating batting order just gets better. If Gonzalez is ready look for Joc Pederson to see less playing time with Bellinger moving to left field and Taylor moving to center. That batting order becomes even scarier. Taylor could also see some time at second with Logan Forsythe and Chase Utley both hitting in the .230 range.
• Shortstop Corey Seager has avoided the Sophomore Jinx, hitting .307 with 19 homers and 57 RBI after winning the Rookie of Year last season.
• Chris Taylor has emerged as a bonafide leadoff hitter, hitting at .307 clip with 17 dingers, 56 RBI, four triples and 13 stolen bases. Oh, and he can play the outfield as well as the infield on defense.
• Yasiel Puig is maturing right before our eyes. His pitch selection, willingness to go to the opposite field and overall plate discipline has resulted in a .253 average, 21 homers and 55 RBI out of the eighth hole. Then there is his defense. Puig has a rifle in right field and covers ground like no one else.
• Yu Darvish is 2-0 since joining the Dodgers and will only get better under the tutelage of Rick Honeycutt.
• Austin Barnes, technically the backup catcher, is hitting .290 with six homers. Starter Yasmani Grandal is hitting .263 with 15 dingers and 43 RBI. Dave Roberts has to love the depth he has behind the plate.
• The rotation is solidifying. Kershaw, Darvish and Alex Wood are locks for the playoff rotation with Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu battling it out for the fourth spot.
• Middle relief looks strong with Brock Stewart, Josh Fields, Pedro Baez, Brandon Morrow, Ross Stripling, Luis Avilan and newcomers Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson ready to get the Dodgers to closer Kenley Jansen. Jansen is 32 for 33 in save opportunities, holding a 1.20 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 52.1 innings.

The Dodgers amazing season is creating sky-high expectations for October. As it stands now, LA's path to a World Series would involve facing the Wild Card winner (Arizona or Colorado) and then the winner of the Washington-Chicago series, if the Cubs can hold off St. Louis and Milwaukee.

Should the Dodgers survive the NL playoffs their World Series opponent figures to be Houston, with the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians and Angels still in the mix.

It's been a wild ride so far. 

Does this team need a nickname?

You know a team is having a historic season when they have to go back to the early 1900s for comparisons. That's how hot the Dodgers have been.

Which prompted a recent family fan conversation about nicknames. Baseball history has given us the Bronx Bombers, Big Red Machine and takes on team nicknames such as Tribe, Halos, Redbirds, Friars, Brew Crew and Rox.

Frankly, when it comes to team nicknames, the minor leagues have the best. El Paso Chihuahuas, Vermont Lake Monsters, Montgomery Biscuits, Savannah Sand Gnats, Auburn Doubledays, Omaha Storm Chasers, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Las Vegas 51's, Toledo Mud Hens, Reno Aces and Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs -- now those are names.

I've actually seen the Aces play in Reno and the Chihuahuas in Salt Lake City. But those are stories for another day.

During this summer's NCAA College World Series I fell in love with Long Beach State's unofficial nickname, the "Dirtbags." They even had it on their jerseys.

The Dodgers were originally the Trolley Dodgers in Brooklyn. They were sometimes referred to as "Dem Bums." But now we need a nickname that speaks to today's red-hot team that resides in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. One slight problem is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim who don't actually play in Los Angeles. That rules out any references to Angels or angelic hosts or destroying angels.

So what exemplifies baseball prowess and Los Angeles?

Blue Wave could pay homage to L.A.'s beach scene. Blue Thunder could honor the Dodgers' power hitters. Blue Crush sounds like a soft drink. Blue Flame could honor... never mind.

Big Blue Wrecking Crew could be resurrected from the 70's. But no, we need something fresh.

Hollywood is known for movies and movie stars. How about the Starlight Express? No, never mind, that was a musical involving roller skates.

Which leads me to my conclusion. The Dodgers don't need a new nickname and honestly will not merit one until they win another World Series.

Then we can call them champions.

Darvish makes stellar first impression

There were doubters.

When the Dodgers acquired Yu Darvish just minutes from the trading deadline Monday there were those who looked at his numbers and shook their heads. 6-9 with an ERA above 4.0? A disaster start against the Marlins his last time out?

Darvish quieted all those fears last night, tossing seven shutout innings of three-hit ball and struck out 10 in shutting down the Mets in a 6-0 win.

Chris Taylor, Yasiel Puig and Chase Utley went deep to give Darvish all the support he needed, but he didn't need much, showing a dazzling display of pitches and pinpoint control, walking only one batter.

Darvish confirmed he was tipping his pitches against Miami in his last start, helping the Marlins rack up 10 runs against him. He said he appreciated the scouts and journalists who pointed out his tipping so he could correct the mistake.

With Clayton Kershaw making progress in his back injury recovery the Dodgers could be scary good in the playoffs with Kershaw, Darvish, Alex Wood and Rich Hill taking the mound with Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu also available to take the hill.

If the playoffs started today, the top-seeded Dodgers would meet the Wild Card winner between Arizona and Colorado in the NLDS and then meet the Washington-Chicago winner in the  NLCS.

The Nationals and Cubs loom as solid contenders with Chicago recovering from a sluggish first half to overtake Milwaukee in the second half. I give the edge to the Cubs, setting up a rematch with the Dodgers from last year's NLCS.

In the American League, Houston and New York are lining up for a first round series with the winner meeting the Boston-Cleveland survivor. Look for Houston to take down the Yankees and then Boston to get to the World Series, setting up a Los Angeles-Houston matchup for the championship.

Hey, a guy can dream. It's only been 29 years.

With over abundance in talent, some Dodgers get overlooked

Rich Hill was just named the National League Pitcher of the Month for July.

I follow the Dodgers pretty closely and the announcement caught me off guard. Hill went 4-0, posted a 1.45 ERA, gave up only five runs in 31 innings and struck out 40 while walking only five during the month.

It's an indication of just how hot the Dodgers have been when a performance like that can go largely unnoticed.

Hill is L.A.'s fourth starter behind Kershaw, Darvish and Alex Wood. How many teams have a No. 4 who can put up those kind of numbers in a month of baseball?

Then there's Chris Taylor, who is hitting .308 this year but has been raking at a .391 clip since the All-Star break. Taylor, like Rookie of the Year candidate Cody Bellinger, started the season in Oklahoma City. Now he has become an integral part of the Dodgers' phenomenal run in 2017.

When you have a lineup that features National League hitting leader Justin Turner, All-Stars Corey Seager and Bellinger and someone like Yasiel Puig in the No. 8 slot, it's easy to overlook someone like Taylor who has been swinging a hot bat all year long.

The Dodgers dropped a 5-3 decision to Atlanta last night and will try to win the four-game series tonight when they send Wood to the hill to face his former team.

Ryu and Maeda respond to rotation competition

Funny what a little competition can do to motivate a guy.

On Monday, the Dodgers acquired Yu Darvish from Texas to bolster their pitching staff. The acquisition made it clear that come playoff time, some of the Dodgers' pitchers would move out of the starting rotation, possibly to the bullpen.

With talks swirling about the Monday trade deadline, Hyun-Jin Ryu went out Sunday and shut down the Giants, holding San Francisco to five hits over seven shutout innings. Ryu, coming back from a shoulder injury, improved his record to 3-6 and let Dave Roberts know he wants to remain a starter.

Last night, Kenta Maeda took the mound. Maeda, too, has struggled, and figures to be on the bubble when Roberts picks his playoff rotation. Maeda responded with one of his strongest outings of the year, holding the Braves to two hits over seven shutout innings to improve his record to 10-4 on the year.

Come October, Roberts figures to have a healthy Kershaw (15-2), Alex Wood (12-1), Rich Hill (8-4), Maeda (10-4), Ryu (3-6), Brandon McCarthy (6-4) and Darvish (6-9) to send to the bump. Expect Roberts to start Kershaw, Darvish, Wood and Hill with Maeda, McCarthy and Ryu working in long relief.

Coupled with a beefed up middle reliever corps and a shutdown closer in Kenley Jansen, LA's pitching figures to be formidable when October comes around.