WRITE ON: DODGERS COLUMNIST CONTEST.

CHAMPIONSHIP: AMITIN vs. OKAMURA

Riding the Trolley (Dodgers) to the Playoffs

SETH AMITIN

22

Writer

Glendale

There must be a sense in the clubhouse of what this team can do.

There must be some kind of collective understanding that this team is now capable, more than it has since 1988, of getting into the playoffs and winning a series or two.

But manager Grady Little won't speak a word of it.

`` makes for good reading,'' Little said after Los Angeles beat the Florida Marlins 4-0 Tuesday night for its sixth straight victory and 17th in 18 games.

His players reflected similar sentiments.

``I think the media puts more into it than we do,'' said outfielder Kenny Lofton.Wow. These guys are taking it seriously. They're acting like it's their job to win - and, well, frankly, it is.

The Dodgers are winning their way, which has been imperative. Some fuss has been made over how few home runs this team has -- currently last in the National League with 102, they lead the NL in hits, on-base percentage and batting average.

That's so amazing, it should be framed and hung in Frank McCourt's office. That's so amazing, it should have its own ``Before the Bigs'' special before the next game on Fox Sports Net.

Chances are they can keep this up -- maybe they won't win another 17 of 18, but they'll probably be able to hold onto this lead with every other team in the division tail spinning into each other -- and winning the division.

Assuming they make the playoffs, the Dodgers three-man rotation in the Divisional Series would be Brad Penny, Greg Maddux and Derek Lowe -- all three of whom have won World Series rings.

The hitting isn't far off from championships and division winners either. Here are the veteran players and their most recent appearances in the playoffs (teams and years in parentheses): Nomar Garciaparra (Red Sox, 2003), Jeff Kent (Astros, 2004), Rafael Furcal (Braves, 2005), Wilson Betemit (Braves, 2005), J.D. Drew (Braves, 2004) and Kenny Lofton (Yankees, 2004).

These pieces can get anyone deep into the playoffs.

Things can fall apart just as easily as they've been built, which is why the Dodgers are trying to humble this whole ``winning'' thing, but they have a genuine shot of making it and getting into the NLCS (though not much farther, since the Mets have a better record and pedigree). Most importantly, though, is if the Dodgers make the playoffs, they're putting their best foot forward, charging, and earning their spot.

And there's no humbling comment Little can come up with for that kind of amazing.

I Believe In Dodger Blue

ALVIN M. OKAMURA

47

Grocery Checker

Encino

Now that almost every streak imaginable is over for the Dodgers and most of us have penciled in the Dodgers as the National League West division winner, the next question everyone wants the answer to is: How far will the Dodgers go this season?

I believe that the Dodgers can make it to the World Series and have a good chance to win the World Championship.

The Dodgers' first round playoff opponent will be the Cardinals, because the Mets, who have the best record of the three division winners, will play the winner of the wild card race. The Dodgers can beat the Cardinals. The Cardinals have a sub .500 winning percentage on the road and are 31-39 since the end of May. Their only reliable pitcher is Chris Carpenter (11-6, 3.09 ERA), and Mark Mulder, who the Cardinals were counting on to complete the one-two punch you need to go deep into the playoffs, was only 6-5 with a 6.09 ERA, before getting injured, while their closer, Jason Isringhausen has already blown 8 saves (only 4 blown saves in 2005).

The Mets can be beat. The Mets are the best team in the National League and have been since opening day. The Mets will beat the whoever wild card representative is, and move on to challenge the Dodgers. The loss of Pedro Martinez is huge. Pedro has nasty stuff and a nasty attitude, and is one of the few pitchers that can carry a team to the World Championship. The Mets have been on cruise control for a too long, and hope Pedro comes back healthy or it might be hard for the Mets to get out of neutral and into drive.

The Dodgers have won 17 of 19 games after losing 13 of 14 after the all-star game. They were in last place and 7 1/2 games back on July 26 and now lead the West Division by 2 1/2 games. The Dodgers lead the National League in batting average, hits, triples and on base percentage, but pitching is the key for the Dodgers. They have three pitchers with World Series rings. With Greg Maddux, Brad Penny, and Derek Lowe, the Dodgers have the talent and experience to beat anyone from the American League and win another championship.

Ned Colletti and Grady Little have brought the ``first year on the job'' energy and excitement that will carry the Dodgers the rest of the way.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) SETH AMITIN

(2) ALVIN M. OKAMURA