Crawford peaking as Dodgers head to post season

Carl Crawford went 2-for-4 last night as the Dodgers scored six runs in the sixth inning to down Colorado 7-4 a day after clinching the NL West.

Roberto Hernandez went 5.2 innings, gave up three runs on six hits and walked four. Hernandez probably failed to show Don Mattingly why he should be given the ball in the playoffs.

Hyun-Jin Ryu, continuing his rehab, pitched off the mound and the Dodgers are optimistic he will be ready to pitch in the playoffs, giving the Dodgers the rotation of Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu and Haren in October.

Crawford, who was the forgotten man in the blockbuster trade that brought Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett to Los Angeles, has found his stride in the month of September.

Over his past 30 games, Crawford is hitting a sizzling .392 with three homers and 16 RBI. Juan Uribe (.378), Hanley Ramirez (.341) and Matt Kemp (.313) have also been wielding hot bats during that period, driving the Dodgers strong showing down the stretch.

A year ago the Dodgers faltered when Ramirez went down in the NLCS. This year, the Dodgers have more firepower in the lineup with Adrian Gonzalez leading the majors in RBI, Dee Gordon leading the majors in steals, Yasiel Puig warming up and Justin Turner, Andre Ethier and Scott Van Slyke giving Mattingly plenty of options off the bench.

As it has been all season, the biggest question marks for the Dodgers are in the bullpen where middle relievers have been inconsistent. Mattingly has some key decisions to make for the 25-man playoff roster. Right-hander Pedro Baez has made a push to join Kenley Jansen, J.P. Howell, Brandon League, Brian Wilson and Jamey Wright on the playoff roster.

Chris Perez, Paco Rodriguez, Carlos Frias, Kevin Correia and Scott Elbert would appear to be on the bubble.

Minor-league sensation Joc Pederson has appeared over-matched in his major-league debut and does not figure to play a role in the playoffs.

Los Angeles will have home field advantage for the NLDS against either St. Louis or Pittsburgh, separated by only a game on this final weekend of regular season play.