Reason to believe

Maybe the best thing to happen to Andre Ethier was getting rid of the hitting streak. After going 0 for 4 on Saturday, ending the streak, he came back with a big homer on Sunday and helped the Dodgers pull off a win. Ethier is an emotional player, and the streak, with all the resultant fan and media attention could've had an effect on him Doesn't look like it did, and thank God, they avoided a sweep on Sunday.

Now the fans and the media need to go somewhere else. They will soon be done feeding on the carcass of the Lakers, so the Dodgers will be the only sports game in town (unless you count the Angels) until the Lakers, Kings and college football come back (tell me again why there is no NFL team in Los Angeles?). It doesn't look like they're killing themselves to bring the fans over.

Frank McCourt can blame his divorce all he wants, but even if things were good with Jamey, he would be fielding pretty much the same team. They are in a huge market and treat their team like they're the Kansas City Royals. The fans know this, so why risk your life to go to Dodger stadium when the Dodgers number one, don't feel the need to field a seriously competitive team, and number two, didn't feel the need to protect you when you are there. Too bad a guy had to nearly get beaten to death to wake them up on security, and thank God the MLB is getting involved, but it may take years to get the litigation-happy McCourt to get his paws off the team, and maybe as long for fans, at least the non-criminal types, to return.

Not to blame the players. Clayton Kershaw looks like an ace most of the time, Ethier and Matt Kemp are looking like they're on the path to career years. Most of the other guys are playing around their ability level, and it looks like even James Loney is starting to wake up. However, beyond the three guys mentioned above, plus a potentially solid starting rotation (Isaid potentially), there isn't a helluva lot to get excited about, talent-wise. Their divison is weak- despite a 16-19 record, they are only 3 1/2 games back, so there is still a chance they can make a playoff run, but c'mon- look at the Phillies and Braves. Look at the Cardinals. Even the low-market Brewers are making a run. The Dodgers are nowhere near in that class.

Don't blame Don Mattingly, considering all the question marks the team had when it was healthy are multiplied when they're banged up, he seems to still be optimistic and upbeat, and the team plays hard most nights, so he is doing a good job, so far.

It's the ownership. Ned Colettii does all he can with a not a whole lot. McCourt possibly being forced out is a good thing, but for now, it is limbo-land, and with Ethier's streak disapeearing, it is one less reason for fans to pay attention or pay to go to the ballpark. It is up mto the under-equipped team and the young manager to start winning some games or Dodger Stadium will be a ghost town.