It's a 30 Game Season and the "Good" Far Outweighs the "Bad"

There is a 30 game season remaining and the Dodgers have a 4 1/2 game lead.  This thing isn't over by any means but I like their chances.  Look at it like a 30 mile road race and the Dodgers have a 4 1/2 mile head start, and then they get to add new horses to the team at the Sept.1 roster expansion date, and maybe another starter before the final trade deadline.

The good:

The Dodger schedule is against teams with a combined winning percentage of .473.  Take out the three games against Washington and their combined percentage is .421.

Clayton Kershaw will start six more games, and if things continue as they have, there's a pretty good chance that he'll win them all.

Hitters such as Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp have been heating up, leading the club to several victories during the pennant race stretch.  They may be peaking at the right time.

Juan Uribe's bat and glove have been missed due to hamstring issues all season. (Photo by USA Today/SI)

Players that will be vital to the club in the final month are returning from injuries.  Those include Hanley Ramirez, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Juan Uribe.

With the roster expansion, additions such as Joc Pederson and additional infielders Arruebarrena and Guerrero will provide an additional push that might be worth game or two.

Dee Gordon has been stellar and Yasiel Puig is due for another streaking set of games.  Those two alone are responsible for setting the table and have done so all season long.  Both will make a few significant contributions in the latter weeks of the season.

The bad:

The Dodgers have some holes, and it looks like they won't be filled anytime soon.   These include:

Their catching duo of AJ Ellis and Drew Butera are each hitting under .190.
There's no relief in sight from Triple A, though Tim Federowicz should be called up in September to provide some assistance.

AJ Ellis is still able to draw the walk, as his OBP is .311 despite a .180 batting average. (photo by Kirby Lee?US Presswire-2011)

A starting staff that is struggling to make it to the finish line in a healthy state.
Greinke has had some elbow issues,  Ryu a strained buttocks muscle that landed him on the D.L., Beckett out for the year with a myriad of ailments, and that leaves you with newcomers Hernandez and Correia, the latter really failing to impress.  Add to that Dan Haren, who has had his share of struggles and then starting ace Kershaw.  The starting staff has question marks all over the place and the Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Beckett foursome that was such a strong quartet a few months ago is now down to one sure thing (Kershaw) and four concerns.

The bullpen has had some inconsistencies that include League, Wilson, and Wright.
They aren't terrible, but they can't be counted on consistently.  Hopefully Paco Rodriguez is able to return before season's end to provide an additional left handed arm.  The loss of Chris Withrow to TJ surgery was quite a blow.  Jansen and JP have been awesome.

The Dodger home record continues to not impress, (it's 34-32).
This is one of the strangest seasons on record.  For that reason, I really don't see the importance of the Dodgers achieving home field advantage in the post season, but a good run in these final 30 might clinch home field advantage throughout it.   They're actually a better team on the road.