With a 5-3 loss last night to San Francisco, the Los Angeles Dodgers' lead in the National League West has narrowed to one game over the Padres. The next two games at Dodger Stadium will be key, as a No Cal sweep over So Cal would move the Giants into a virtual tie with the Dodgers in the NL West. One player who will have absolutely no impact in either of the remaining games against the Giants is pitcher Mark Hendrickson (he's scheduled to start Saturday against the Pads). And given his lack of immediate importance, it's no coincidence that Mark is the subject in Part 5 of our 436 Part Series, Better Know a Dodger. more ›

The major league baseball season begins tonight, with the St. Louis Cardinals beginning their title defense against the New York Mets. And, as always, with Opening Day comes optimism. Fans across the country have convinced themselves that this year the (insert local team here) will challenge for the pennant and make a strong push in October. Next year is now. more ›

The Dodgers captured sole possession of the National League Wild Card lead by defeating the Colorado Rockies, 11-4. The Philadelphia Phillies, led by homerun sensation Ryan Howard, lost to the Washington Nationals, 4-3. Ryan Howard had a chance to win the game for Philadelphia, but he flied out to deep centerfield with the tying run on base for the last out of the game. Currently, we are one game up on Philadelphia in the wild card race and just 2 games back of the Padres in the National League West Division. more ›

On Tuesday night the Dodgers entered Wrigley Field with a 1½ game lead over the San Diego Padres in the National League West Division. With 19 games left in the season, they are firmly in the drivers seat -- masters of their own destiny. more ›

The National League West has turned into the most competitive division in Baseball. Every team in the West still has a shot at a playoff berth. They were not supposed to be this good. They were not supposed to be competitive. At the start of the season the division was the laughing stock of Major League Baseball, with many pundits expressing that they would not be surprised if every NL West team finished below... more ›

About the only thing consistent about the Dodgers this season is their inconsistencies. Two weeks ago, the Dodgers had lost six straight, were in third place, and considered becoming sellers at the trade deadline. more ›

The win bodes well for the Dodgers, who are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Now, we Angelenos shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. L.A.'s been in first place in June a number of times in recent years. But this season it feels as if the Dodgers have the most complete team in the National League West. more ›