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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.
Today, the Azul find themselves winners of five straight and atop the National League West. Last night Kaz Ishii pitched the best game of his MLB career, giving up just one hit and facing only 29 batters in a complete game 11-0 rout over the Bob Brenly-less Arizona Diamondbacks.
As the pennant race thickens into the second half, LAist hopes that the Dodgers won't call upon the services of Juan Encarnacion, who it turns out has been playing with a deteriorated labrum all season. That and his swing-at-everything approach, could probably explain Encarnacion's .240 batting average. While LAist admires Encarnacion's willingness to play through pain, we remember Shawn Green putting off shoulder surgery last year, and that did no one any favors. Regardless of what the MRI reveals today, LAist suggests Encarnacion play healthy or not play at all. The Dodgers could easily insert hot-hitting Jayson Werth into the lineup.
