They’ve underperformed relative to preseason expectations, but worked around serious roster limitations.
They’ve wowed with an undefeated start, a high-scoring offense and a comfortable division lead. And yet, they’ve left so much to also be desired, both on the mound from their injury-plagued pitching staff and at the plate amid uncharacteristic slumps from several veteran stars.
No, the Dodgers have not played like The Greatest Team Ever™ in the first half of the season. Their record-setting $400 million payroll is not bidding for any all-time wins mark.
But, after grinding out a 5-2 extra-innings win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday to enter the All-Star break with a key divisional series victory, their first half has been a quiet success nonetheless, concluding with the Dodgers (58-39) holding a 5 ½-game lead in the National League West, the top record in all the NL and still the best odds of being baseball’s first repeat champion in a quarter-century.