Hey, you know what? I was brushing my teeth this morning and I was just thinking…maybe, just maybe…the National League West is not that toothless after all.

Maybe, just maybe…the Los Angeles Dodgers are actually a pretty decent team when playing out of their division.

Just maybe…

Oh, who am I kidding? As agonizingly as they have played as individuals, for periods of time, the Dodgers continue to find (or stumble upon) ways to win. The San Francisco Giants have roared to the second best record in the National League and the Colorado Rockies are suddenly a threat.

If you look at the Dodgers’ roster, they look really good on paper. However, sitting down to watch them play is usually an exercise in masochism. You cannot help but shake your head and cuss a little (or a lot) at how many times the Dodgers mess up or blow big opportunities.

I do not care how much praise is heaped upon the bullpen, they are still as shaky as a Blair Witch Project (Artisan, 1999) camera and just as unnerving, all too often. Jonathan Broxton’s meltdown in San Diego is a prime example. What was that?

And, despite boasting such a formidable lineup, you know that, on any given day, most of the offense will come from only two or three guys, while the rest of the team will just be there for face time.

Hey…I am not being a troll, just being honest.

Now, regarding Manny Ramirez. He has a looked a bit rusty, but he seems to be warming up, knocking in RBIs and going yard a few times.

If you are Manny, and you want to dispel as much criticism about your talent being the product of performance-enhancing drugs, the only way to do it is by going all-out and generating numbers similar to your torrid run with the Dodgers, late last season.

That might be too much to ask, but it is the only way to quell the ire of baseball purists and journalists, who have taken it upon ourselves to defend the integrity of the game.

Manny, or no Manny, the Dodgers have remained strong, surviving the annual June swoon, and are poised to finish with the best record at the All-Star break.

However, more tests loom ahead as the Dodgers must prepare for the challenge of the fearsome Giants, streaky Rockies and late summer crunch that leads to September baseball.

Next time, I will write about nicknames for several Dodgers players. If you have any you think I should mention, go ahead and drop me a note. I will be sure to mention the real cool ones.

Go Blue.