Extra Mustard

Albert Chen

August 21, 2006

What made the dodgers the hottest team in the majors? Left for dead two weeks ago, they won 14 out of 15 and jumped from seven games back in the NL West to 11/2 in front by week's end. Sure, L.A. got second baseman Jeff Kent and first baseman Nomar Garciaparra back from the DL during that span. And trades for shortstop Julio Lugo, third baseman Wilson Betemit and righthander Greg Maddux shored up the infield and the rotation. And the bullpen, led by reliever Jonathan Broxton (0.00 ERA in August), was lights out. But the biggest factor in the Dodgers' turnaround was their schedule. After the All-Star break they dropped 13 of 14 games to the Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Padres-the toughest slate a team can have in the NL this year without playing the Mets. Then L.A. had its big run against the Nationals, Reds, Marlins, Rockies and Giants-all but Cincinnati were .500 or worse when they played the Dodgers. Now another U-turn in the schedule: A nasty nine-game road trip to San Francisco, San Diego and Arizona awaits L.A. beginning on Friday. The favorite to win the wacky West will emerge after that stretch.