Dodgers Keep Finding Ways to Win

Chris Capuano is now 7-1, tying him for the league lead in wins. (Jeff Gross)

If I had told you before the season that Matt Kemp what already be on the DL, but the Dodgers would have the best record in baseball, you would have likely called me crazy.

Despite injuries to Kemp, Juan Rivera, Mark Ellis, and Juan Uribe (to name just a few), the Dodgers have found ways to win ball games.

Since Kemp was placed on the DL May 14, the Dodgers are 9-4, have increased their runs per game to 5.1, have had a staff ERA of 2.97, and increased their lead in the NL West to 7.5 games.

The Dodgers have been getting the job done in part to some often overlooked veterans, who are proving they have something left in the tank. Today's win over the Houston Astros provided a reminder of this. 35-year old Jerry Hairston Jr. had a career-high five hits. 36-year-old backup catcher Matt Treanor added a solo home run. 38-year-old Bobby Abreu came off the bench and worked a bases loaded walk to pick up a RBI.

Then, there was today's starting pitcher. Today, he pitched seven innings of two hit ball and struck out 8. On the season, he is now 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA. If I made you guess who it was before the season, I am sure you would have said staff ace Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw's been good this year, but not as good as Chris Capuano has been. The 33-year-old Capuano took apart the Astros lineup today, just like he has done to opponents all season.

Hairston Jr., Treanor, Abreu, and Capuano, the four leading veterans in today's win, have played a combined 47 seasons for 22 MLB teams, according to the L.A. Times. That is truly remarkable, but it hasn't just been these guys producing. The Dodgers are getting dividends from throughout their lineup and pitching staff. Outfielder Ander Either is tied for the NL-lead with 41 RBIs. Catcher A.J. Ellis hit a walk-off home run in Saturday's win. Ted Lilly is 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA. I could keep naming names.

I am convinced that the reason this team has the best record in baseball right now is that they are simply playing great team baseball. They are getting contributions from everyone. With a record of 32-15 overall and 21-5 at home, the Dodgers are off to their best start at Dodgers Stadium in more than 30 years. While there is no guarantee they can keep this up, there is little reason to doubt them as of now. For now, I would simply like to tip my cap to a team who is winning by playing as a team and to often overlooked veterans who do not always get recognized and appreciated as they should.