"Beast Mode" Moves the Dodgers Within Two

The Dodgers winning ways continued for another night as they closed within two games of St. Louis for the final playoff spot.  They closed out the week at 5-1 and have picked the most ideal time of the year to get a respectable winning streak going.  My son put things in perspective though.

"You know what this means don't you?" he asked.  "We're getting set up to have our hearts broken by the Giants in a few days."

Matt Kemp admires his towering 4th inning homer. (Photo by J. Terrell/AP)

He might have a point but even facing that potential scenario beats being out of contention right now.  I'll take my chances against the hated ones in the final three games.

With the Cardinals still in control of their own destiny, help is still needed from afar from Washington and Cincinnati, but this Dodger team is coming together and Matt Kemp is heating up just in time.  If this team does reach the playoffs, I predict a monster series or two from our center fielder.

Kemp hit two solo blasts, the first traveling 461 feet deep into the Left Field Pavilion.  Hanley Ramirez is putting things together, banging out three knocks and stealing two bags.  Adrian Gonzalez added two hits as well and the pitching of Joe Blanton and the threesome in the bullpen (Belisario, Jansen and League) tossed a shutout.

Yes, the Dodgers are finally gelling.  Whether it's too late or not is tough to say, but it is great to see the team continue to scrap and battle in meaningful games up until the end.  These guys can't overlook the finale against Colorado tomorrow though.  Josh Beckett faces Jorge De La Rosa who has struggled this year.  We're happy tonight though, and that's a great feeling to have as a fan so late in the season.