You would think that by being in first place at the All-Star break that the break itself would be the last thing that the Dodgers and Dodger fans would want. I mean heck, let’s keep rolling along; let’s keep the momentum going; let’s keep winning, right? Perhaps this would be true if the Dodgers came into the break with a four, five or six-game winning streak and were actually playing like a first place team, but the painful truth is that they have absolutely limped into the break and are extremely fortunate to arrive there while still leading the NL West, even if only by a half game. I honestly believe that if the Dodgers had even one more game before the break, they would have entered the break in second place a half-game back. Needless to say, this is definitely a much needed break and couldn’t have come at a better time.

In my many years as a Dodger fan I cannot recall ever wanting or needing the All-Star break as much as I want and need this one, not because the Dodgers need the break physically (although I know that they do) but because I want the bleeding to stop; I don’t want the inevitable to happen; I don’t want the Giants and/or the Diamondbacks (or both) to be ahead of the Dodgers in the standings; but no matter how much we hope or wish that it won’t happen, it will… if the Dodgers continue to play as they have in the last six weeks.

With Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier likely to return to the Dodgers line-up immediately after the All-Star break, the Dodgers will be in a great position to improve upon their meager half-game lead in the NL West. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo & foxsportswest.com)

It’s no secret that the weak-hitting Dodgers are entering the All-Star break in first place in the NL West not because they have played well or deserve to be there, but because and only because the Giants have lost 7 of their last 10 games during the past week and a half. I mean really, to be swept by the Nationals in 3 and then lose 2 of 3 to the Pirates in their last seven games was an absolute miracle and blessing for the Dodgers, who themselves lost  4 of 7 during that same time – including 3 of 4 to the D-Backs (who face the lowly Cubs immediately after the break).

In trying to be guardedly optimistic here, the Dodgers come out of the break for six games at home, three against the Padres and three against the NL East last place Phillies (who just got Ryan Howard and Chase Utley back from the DL), so if ever there were a time for the Dodgers to flex their first place muscles, this would be it. And when you add to the mix that Dodger sluggers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier are schedule to return from the DL themselves immediately following the break, there will never be a better opportunity for the Dodgers to look and play like a first place team. That said, if they stall even a little bit coming out of the break, you can bet that the Giants and D-Backs will be right there to pounce on them.

Being in first place at the break does have other ramifications, most of which are favorable; it clearly puts Stan Kasten and Ned Colletti in the driver’s seat as buyers as opposed to the sellers for the rapidly approaching July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and both are very well aware of the glaring need for a solid first and third baseman, even if only as a two-month rental player. It also means that Stan and Ned need to take off their Juan Uribe rose-colored glasses and cut their losses by designating Uribe for assignment. As I have said countless times regarding Uribe: “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear” and Ned has got to accept the fact that Uribe will never be the player that he thought he would be when he signed him to his insane 3-year/$21 million contract. For the Dodgers to have a legitimate shot at making the post season, they have to unload Uribe and replace him with a third baseman who can at least hit his weight, regardless of the financial burden brought on by Colletti.

But alas, the All-Star break is here and it is time to enjoy a much needed break; a break of the likes that I have never needed this badly before… not ever.