Bill Shaikin previews second half of season for Dodgers

July 11, 2012|By Chuck Schilken

<p>The Dodgers got off to a tremendous start and held the best record in baseball for much of the first half of the season.</p><p>They have since lost 15 of their last 20 games but still hold a half-game lead over the San Francisco Giants atop the National League West.</p></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-in-top" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"><script type="text/javascript"> var adSkipCounter = 0; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "half previews trade deadline";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,9744208858,8321278795,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=32635795&cat=sports&pe_id=32635795&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=9744208858&rnccn=CMI-A-028&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=ctr-lt-in-top", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"><p>Now that the All-Star break has come and almost gone, the Dodgers appear to be a team in need of some help down the stretch as they make their playoff run.</p><p>Some of that help is sure to come when All-Star Matt Kemp returns from the disabled list. Hopefully his controversial decision to take part in Monday's Home Run Derby won't be the source of any kind of setback.</p><p>Even with Kemp's return, the Dodgers might want to find some additional help from outside the team before the trade deadline. Ace Clayton Kershaw did some recruiting for the team during the All-Star festivities, telling Phillies' free-agent-to-be Cole Hamels, "You'd look good in Dodger blue."</p><p>Times writer Bill Shaikin discusses Kemp's decision to participate in the Home Run Derby, possible moves before the trade deadline and other topics as the Dodgers head into the second half of the season.</p><p><strong>ALSO:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kemp-trumbo-hr-derby-20120710,0,170228.story">Matt Kemp cuts it short at Home Run Derby</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-kemp-braun-all-stars-20120710,0,4257467.story">Ryan Braun still has the support of Dodgers' Matt Kemp</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-0711-all-star-notes-20120711,0,4613776.story">Clayton Kershaw makes pitch to recruit Cole Hamels to Dodgers</a></p></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc" class="mod-adcpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; 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