Boys of Summer are back

Going into the National League Division Series against Arizona, the Dodger faithful wondered which version of the team would show up in the playoffs -- the team that owned the summer and built a 20-game lead in the standings -- or the team that limped to the finish line playing .500 ball in August and September?

Thankfully, it was the former.

The Dodgers rolled through the D-Backs in a three-game sweep and now wait for the outcome of the Cubs-Nationals series for their Saturday opponent.

The NLDS win over Arizona showcased the depth Los Angeles enjoys. Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Yu Darvish started the three games but it was the bullpen that sparkled. Kenta Maeda bolstered the pen with his presence as a middle reliever and Brandon Morrow and Kenley Jansen are now solidified in the setup and closer roles. Alex Wood was slated to start Game Four but was not needed.

Other Dodgers have emerged. Yasiel Puig is starting to fulfill the potential we saw as a rookie. Austin Barnes is forcing Roberts to start him over Yasmani Grandal at catcher. Justin Turner is a pure hitter and his .377 career batting average in the playoffs in ridiculous.

Chris Taylor now owns the leadoff spot and plays a decent centerfield. Corey Seager is the real deal at short and at the plate and Logan Forsythe is showing why the Dodgers went out and got him to play second base and provide some pop from the right side.

Then there's Cody Bellinger. The rookie was quiet the first two games but broke out with a dinger and several stellar defensive plays in the 3-1 series clincher.

The Dodgers looked more like the Boys of Summer this weekend than the sluggish team of August and September.

That may not bode well for Chicago or Washington in the NLCS.