Should you believe in a Dodgers offense reborn against Cubs, Rockies? - Los Angeles Times
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Should you believe in a Dodgers offense reborn against Cubs, Rockies?

Hanley Ramirez hits a one-run double against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
(Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)
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Easy now, buckaroo, deep breaths and all. Don’t go getting too excited. Yes, it looks good for the Dodgers. Sure, the division race could be over by Tuesday. And no question they are now hitting as originally designed.

Yet caution remains the wise mode, the gut-out-every-game approach. The Giants arrive at Dodger Stadium tonight, and they’re reeling, but they’re still the Giants, and history says all kinds of weird things could yet happen.

There certainly is reason to be wary over the Dodgers’ sudden offensive might. They have averaged 8.3 runs in their last nine games while beating up on the Rockies and Cubs.

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But after all, they are the Rockies and Cubs, the two worst teams in the National League not named Diamondbacks.

Teams are supposed to hit against the Cubs and Rockies. The Cubs have baseball’s No. 21-ranked pitching staff (3.95 ERA), which looks pretty good to the dead-last Rockies (4.84).

Teams are really supposed to hit against the Cubs and Rockies in their ballparks. They are politely termed “hitters†ballparks. Heck, visiting teams averaged 5.5 runs at Coors Field this season.

So Matt Kemp has rediscovered his power, Yasiel Puig is out of his long slump, Hanley Ramirez is hitting more like Hanley Ramirez and less like Neil Ramirez, Dee Gordon collects double-hits by the game, Juan Uribe is stinging the ball, Carl Crawford is suddenly one of the game’s hottest hitters, Adrian Gonzalez continues to lead the league in RBIs and even A.J. Ellis is hitting for the first time all season.

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Just remember this offensive convergence finally happened in Denver and Chicago against a pair of teams still searching for their 70th win of the season.

Hey, maybe it keeps rolling. Maybe that trip was just what the Dodgers needed to finally turn the offensive corner. Plus, players are mostly healthy right now. Maybe it is the much-delayed start to the offense the Dodgers always thought they’d put together.

It isn’t like the Giants have been putting loads of pressure on them. Since their 43-21 start, the Giants have gone 41-50. Not exactly hot breath on their necks. Now the Giants are injured and have lost six of their last eight and look ready for the taking.

Which should happen during these three games, just don’t take it for granted. Don’t assume all the work is done. That this is the offense to expect from here on. Easy now.

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