Did you know that the Dodgers have scored 34 runs and collected 62 hits in the past five games? I mean, I knew that the Dodgers had done quite a bit of both this past week, but it wasn’t until Dodgers broadcasters Rick Monday and Charlie Steiner interviewed third base coach Tim Wallach on their post-game show after Sunday’s 7-1 win and series sweep of the Rockies that these exact numbers were mentioned. So amazed was I that I went straight to the computer as soon as I walked in the door from Sunday’s game and sure enough, Rick and Charlie were spot on. Whoda thunk it?

Matt Kemp has 11 of those 64 hits including 4 home runs and 9 RBIs. (Photo credit – Mark J. Terrill)

Can you imagine where the Dodgers would be today if they had started putting up these kind of numbers even a week earlier? Granted, they wouldn’t have caught the Giants for the NL West title, but we wouldn’t even be talking about that second NL Wild Card spot or perhaps even the first Wild Card spot. But alas, they didn’t, and here we sit hoping and wishing.

Adrian Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 12 games on Sunday afternoon going 2 for 3 with a walk. A-Gon’s streak ties the Dodgers’ season best set by Luis Cruz. (Photo credit – Stephen Dunn).

There is nothing more that I would rather see than for the Dodgers to sweep the Giants in the upcoming season finale 3-game series at Dodger Stadium – well, except seeing the Reds sweep the Cards, that is. To be honest, I’m not all that confident that the Dodgers will take all three from the playoff-bound Giants, but I do believe that they can take 2 of 3. Unfortunately, I am much less confident that the Reds can sweep the Cards at Busch Stadium, which is exactly what would need to happen if the Dodgers take only 2 of 3 instead of sweeping the Hated Ones. And even with a sweep, the Dodgers still need the Reds to take 2 of 3 from the Cards just to force a one-game playoff for that coveted second Wild Card spot.

Luis Cruz picked a great day to hit his 6th home run of the season. His mother was at the game having made the trip from Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico. (Photo credit – Mark J. Terrill)

Regardless, it has been one heck of a great run for the Dodgers these past five days no matter where this second Wild Card race ends up. And even if the Dodgers find themselves on the outside looking in when the dust settles on Wednesday evening, you can count on one thing – the 2013 Dodgers are going to be one heck of a force to reckon with, that’s for sure!

Man, I can’t wait for spring training 2013 to begin!