YOUR DODGERS, FOR BETTER OR WORSE.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

These are your Los Angeles Dodgers. There is no one behind the curtain. No secrets yet to be revealed. No cavalry to ride to the rescue.

These are your Los Angeles Dodgers. When they make plays, get solid pitching, a timely hit, they win. Win as well as anyone during the first half.

And these are your Los Angeles Dodgers. Surprisingly fragile. A team with scant depth. That can't count on consistent offense. That can't afford costly mistakes. A team that has lost six of it's last seven games.

The Dodgers fell out of first place Tuesday afternoon with their 9-2 loss to the Cardinals and there remains much for them to be encouraged about.

It is the middle of July and they are a half-game back of the Diamondbacks. They are playing their worst ball of the season and are right there. Still 68 games to play.

Yet of the three teams fighting for the lead in the NL West - the Giants, Diamondbacks and Dodgers - Los Angeles can least afford a tailspin.

This is not alarmist material, just simple recognition.

Start with the premise that the NL West might be baseball's best division. That there are three teams capable of winning it.

``It's going to be a grind the rest of the season,'' said Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca. ``It's going to go down to the wire. No one is going to run away.''

If teams are that close, one can't afford to go into a prolonged slump. A ``rut'' is what everyone in the somber Dodger clubhouse called it Tuesday. Fall into that rut too long and the others slip away.

``It would become a concern if you actually see it start to happen,'' said Dodgers manager Jim Tracy. ``When there's a game and a half between three teams, I certainly would not infuse that into a group of people and make them think I'm overly concerned about that.

``Especially when there's 2 1/2 months to play. If this was the middle of September, I'd have to give a little different answer.''

It's the middle of July. This is a time for caution, right? For cool heads to prevail. For recognizing the long term.

Yet down the road, expect the Diamondbacks to pick up another starter. Bet on the Giants GM Brian Sabean making another major deadline deal, this time to pick up a serious bat.

With teams this close, one significant player might well make the difference.

``It could,'' Tracy said. ``It very well could.''

But these are your Los Angeles Dodgers. They have a $98 million payroll. Their only obviously marketable player (Adrian Beltre) has struggled yet reeks of potential. You don't unload him for a third baseman (Scott Rolen) who can become a free agent at the end of the season and already turned down $140 million.

Every other Dodger you might consider dealing carries a hefty, team- frightening contract. Dodgers GM Dan Evans might be able to tweak the roster, add a bat to the bench, but don't expect a significant move.

These are your Dodgers. The team you are watching now will likely be the same one playing in September. The only additions on the horizon are pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort. They will help, but the Dodgers already have one of baseball's best staffs.

What they almost desperately need is another major bat. Outside of Shawn Green, no Dodger has hit more than 13 home runs this season. This is not a team that can be counted on for home runs.

The Dodgers win with solid pitching and by not making mistakes. Only right now they are making mistakes. Not getting bunts down. Throwing balls away at third. They are beating themselves.

``It kills me,'' Tracy said. ``It just kills me, because since day one of spring training of last year, I've made it clear to this team, 'Don't take little things for granted.' ''

These Dodgers have plenty of nice parts, plenty of solid role players. But few offensive stars. The power numbers of Eric Karros, Beltre and Lo Duca are all down.

When the Dodgers play smart, fundamental baseball, they are good enough to win, good enough to compete for the division title. A fun team to watch.

When they make mistakes, they look fairly ordinary. They don't have the same margin for error as the Diamondbacks and Giants. Between their lack of offensive depth and need to play near-ideal baseball, they could wear down during the summer.

The Dodgers will certainly play better than they are right now. Watch them. It's all on the team you see right now. These are your Los Angeles Dodgers.