Despite their terrific run in the first half of the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were never without their faults, which they somehow managed to escape in almost every game.

If the starting pitching was faltering, they would find ways to score enough runs to win.

If the batting was lacking, the pitching staff would come together to shut down the opposing team.

While most of the lineup was failing at the plate, one or two guys would do just enough to generate enough runs to lead the Dodgers to victory.

Throughout it all, the Dodgers have rarely been thoroughly convincing, especially that bullpen, which is as reliable as a taco truck at 3 a.m.

All the members of the Dodgers relief corps have failed miserably at one point or other during the season. However, no one has done so with as much consistency as grandmaster chef Jonathan Broxton, who is notorious for cooking up late inning collapses that have left legions of Dodgers fans sick to their stomach and with verbal diarrhea of the most foul kind.

It’s ironic that Broxton comes out of the bullpen to Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” While it’s easy to assume the song is about the iconic Marvel superhero, if you pay attention to the lyrics the song is actually about a vengeful villain who brings about the end of the world.

Whenever Broxton takes the mound these days, the Dodgers are in danger.

Is it more unsettling that Broxton is so unreliable as a closer or that manager Joe Torre continues to call upon him at the most crucial times?

By the way, now that Manny Ramirez can’t rely on the juice, it seems he’s slowly dissipating away. Yeah, he’s had his moments where he has shined. However, that shine has dulled a lot and Manny isn’t as reliable or clutch as the Dodgers would hope.

At least, Andre Ethier has avoided any more serious slumps. With Manny back, Ethier has put up impressive numbers.

Nevertheless, his efforts might not be enough to keep the Dodgers from falling out of first.

The Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants have remained hot throughout the summer and are creeping closer and closer to the Dodgers every day.

Who would’ve thought that the Wild Card would come out of the National League West this season? It sure seems that’s the way it will be.

If the Dodgers aren’t careful, they’ll find themselves fighting for that Wild Card spot. However, even if the Dodgers do manage to hang on the NL West, they still have to figure out the St. Louis Cardinals, who have beat up on the Dodgers like no other.

Nevertheless, as 1988 proved, hope never dies.

As always, keep the faith.

Go Blue.