You Don't Have to Go Home, But You Have to Get the Hell Out of Here

The season is on life support, barely breathing like Duncan Sheik, however still with a heartbeat. Nomar Garciaparra wrapped up the year at the stadium by sending home the patrons with a victory courtesy his walk off grand slam in the ninth. The win kept the team within striking distance of the Friars and the Phillies, and also managed to save the McCourt's a little face this season barring the blue missing the playoffs. It would have really been something to lose the last game of the season at your park. That's always a great way to show that fan appreciation.

This would have been even greater news had the Friars lost, however they were busy putting the finishing touches on a series sweep of the Pirates, the team that had just taken 2 of 3 from the blue. That leads me to the thesis of this post, how can we expect the Dodgers to win a spot in the playoffs if they can't even take down sub five hundred clubs? The Fathers did what they had to do, so did the Phillies, beat teams that were inferior in talent and beat them handedly. The Dodgers struggled every step of the way against the Brewers, Cubs, Pirates and Diamondbacks, all teams with sub 500 records and all teams that will be watching the post season and listening to that blow hard Joe Buck on the call. It may very well be the same place the Dodgers will be watching from.

One key component to all this madness is the fact that the studly Jeff Kent has list "it." No longer is his porno stash cutting the mustard, last night being no exception to that rule. Kent went 0-4 against weak Arizona pitching last night, and looks overmatched in many of his at bats. In key situations he has struck out with runners in scoring position or lifted lazy pop flies to the infield. The team as a whole is pressing, but Kent is starting to look like the easiest out in the lineup. Even the light hitting Julio Lugo shows more pop these days. What is ailing Kent? Well, he is old, that's for sure. However his entire season seemed to derail after getting hit in the head earlier this season by Giant headhunter Ryan Hennessey. Since that doming, Kent has seen a considerable drop off in his average and home run production and has been in and out of the line up. Less we forget, a beaning by Soloman Torres was essentially what killed Sammy Sosa's career, although was wasn't necessarily such a bad thing.

J.D. Drew seems to be one of the only ones in the line up doing much of anything, his big hits have at least made the Dodgers scary to opposing pitchers. However when you lead off an inning and watch the next three batters strike out, pop out, and strike out, then I'm sure it is a little disheartening. For the money that the boy blunder Paul DePodesta paid him, J.D. is finally looking he is worth the investment.

Entering the final six, to team has an off day and will be rooting for Houston and St. Louis to win their games. It is a sad state of affairs however, when you went from controlling your own destiny to scoreboard watching and rooting for other teams. Sliding in the back door is never better then breaking down the front.