Ah, three blowouts in a row. Oodles of runners LOB. And the icing on the cake, pinch hitter Mark Loretta taking the mound for the first time since 2001. I fear this is going to be one hell of a road trip.

First 3 game losing streak since of the season. Actually, first since Manny was acquired last season if memory serves. Frustrating games to watch as they were all winnable. Out of 26 innings, there were maybe 5 or 6 bad ones for Dodger pitching. But boy were they bad. And then the bizarre disappearance of clutch hitting. It's not like they weren't hitting or anything. If someone told me only that the Dodgers had 11, 11, and 9 hits respectively in the 3 games I'd have put them on a 3 game winning streak. But they just couldn't string any together at the right time. And WAY too many double plays. Seemed like they hit into one just about every inning.

All right, I'm fully aware that the Dodgers paid good money for Broxton and, therefore, it wasn't unreasonable to bring him in to close things out in the 9th, especially when the starter is well over 100 pitches. But geez, Kershaw gave perhaps his most impressive appearance to date, and in the 8th, was still throwing around 95 MPH and retiring batters with ease. Let the kid have his first complete game shutout. I believe he could have shut them down quickly in the 9th, but instead, I got to watch an additional 2 hours of baseball as a result, with a very displeasing ending. Ugh. What is going on with this team?

What's going on is that the starters' lack of innings on the first half is catching up with the bullpen. It was bound to happen.

I'm really starting to worry they're going to make a rash trade to either get a starter than can eat some innings or at least a fresh arm or two in the bullpen. I will be sorely disappointed if one of the regulars goes.

Meanwhile, late last night I could be heard to have yelled at my television, "I hate fvcking Pujols!!" That just didn't sound right.

Although, it certainly can't be entirely blamed on the bullpen, because nobody is getting any run support. Between the double plays and failing to get the leadoff guy home, it just seems like nobody is hitting the ball. And were it not for Manny last night, making an outstanding play, we would have seen another lopsided score.

Agreed though, I would rather see them work through it then make a stupid trade decision. I would consider letting McDonald go though. I know he is supposed to have significant potential, but my patience is running thin.

The lack of run support and hitting with men in scoring position this week is problematic. But that can theoretically be fixed with some coaching and studying tape. An exhausted bullpen is an exhausted bullpen and no amount of mechanical corrections or coaching can make that go away.

Agreed on McDonald. I think him and a few AAA kids (and maybe Blake DeWitt) could net to Dodgers some decent upgrades without breaking up the winning formula they've got going.

Oh good, the front office is listening to my advice

It seems pretty clear at this point that Schmidt is not going to be able to fulfill that 5th starter position. I just don't think he has the ability to be that "thinking pitcher" who needn't have a decent fastball (like a Maddux.) In yesterday's game, it looked like he was throwing batting practice.

I'm starting to think that the Dodgers might have been better served by acquiring some starting pitching before the deadline, and I wonder what they are going to do if Schmidt takes another shelling. Granted, I wasn't enamored by he prospect of losing Kemp or Kershaw, but I also don't feel as confident about making it to the playoffs without someone more reliable in that 5th spot. I suppose they could try McDonald there again; he's been pitching a little better, but I don't think that is the answer either.

On an unrelated note, I find it pretty humorous that Mota insists that the pitch to Fielder just got away from him accidentally the other night. If so, maybe someone could explain why Troncoso was warming up in the bullpen with, what, a 13-run lead and two outs in the top of the 9th. :) Not saying that I disagree with the decision to bean him, but I had a hard time keeping a straight face while Mota explained it was an honest mistake.

If Stults can get health I think the Dodgers can get away with 4 men + a platoon of Stults and Weaver as the 5th. It'd be a little tough to manage, but that's basically what they were doing for the bulk of Manny's suspension and it served them pretty well.

We're going to see the Giants take on the Dodgers next Tuesday, the 11th. Expect plenty of in-game Tweets and Twitpics (@SmartWatermelon), especially if the Giants are doing well...