Dodger fans are a fickle bunch. When the team went on its historic 43-7 run earlier this season, all was well in the universe. But given the fact that the Dodgers have lost an unimaginable two of their last four games, and judging by what this has done in the Twittersphere, you would think that the apocalypse is upon us.

Although this apocalypse thing is most certainly meant in jest, there are undoubtedly some who actually believe that the Dodgers miracle run of 2017 has come to an end. And while it may be true that the team will have a difficult time continuing to play .700+ ball over the final six weeks of the season, I most definitely wouldn’t bet against them.

Why, you ask? Because their spark, the one single element that even the ever-stoic Chase Utley believes is the a key component to the Dodgers success this season, returns to their lineup on Wednesday. That spark is, of course, 22-year-old Dodgers rookie phenom Cody Bellinger, who has been sidelined with a mild right ankle sprain suffered on August 19 in Detroit and placed on the 10-day disabled list the following day. Bellinger is eligible to and undoubtedly will return to the Dodgers starting lineup on Wednesday, August 30, for game-2 of a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

It’s hard to argue that rookie phenom Cody Bellinger hasn’t been the biggest spark for the Dodgers this season. He is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

There are undoubtedly some – perhaps even many – who are skeptical that the Dodgers remarkable success this season and, more importantly, their sudden (perceived) struggles over the past four games are the result of Bellinger’s April 25 call-up and his current DL stint respectively. In fact, Orange County Register Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett insists that both are nothing more than a coincidence. But while this may indeed be the case (or at the very least the easiest way to justify it), it is a rather difficult concept to swallow for those of us who aren’t big on coincidences.

Consider this. As of Sunday morning, the Dodgers have exactly 34 games remaining in the regular season. They are currently 91-37 on the season and exactly nine wins away from clinching a guaranteed postseason berth and 14 wins away from clinching their franchise record-setting fifth consecutive National League West title. And while it may indeed be possible for the best Dodgers team in its 134-year history to not win nine or even 14 of their remaining 34 games, it is extremely unlikely that they will not accomplish both.

For those who still might be feeling a little apocalyptic, allow me to lay some additional numbers on you that might ease your anxiety a bit. Prior to Bellinger’s April 25 call-up, the Dodgers were 9-11 (.450) on the season. Granted, this is an insanely small sample size. But in the 108 games since Bellinger’s April 25 call-up, the Dodgers are a ridiculous (as Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis would say) 82-26 (.843).

Are these historic numbers solely the result of Belly’s call-up? Probably not, especially with the incredible contributions that fellow call-up Chris Taylor, third baseman Justin Turner and a new and improved Yasiel Puig have made throughout the season, among others. But simply put and beyond any coincidences, it sure will be nice to have “Cody Love” back in the lineup.

…especially for us non-coincidence types.