Times have been a bit turbulent recently for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Many feel the club should be running away with the NL West, but a 15-16 record since the All-Star break has the San Diego Padres breathing right down their neck, with the Dodgers nursing a slim one-game lead.
There have been embarrassing moments, like the August 11-13 sweep at the hands of their lowly crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Angels, marking the second time this year the Angels put their big boy pants on and swept Los Angeles' premium team.
One would have thought that after taking last weekend's series against the Padres in a sweep, when San Diego beat themselves due to a slew of unforced errors, it would serve as the catalyst for a Dodgers' run heading into a four-game set against the hapless Rockies.