LA Dodgers: Six Ways They Can Improve in the Second Half

Right now, the Dodgers are staring at a minimum of 90 losses on the season. Anemic offense, shaky pitching and a disappointing first half have expectations far lower for the second half.

There’s a good chance the Dodgers won’t make any major moves at the trade deadline although teams are showing interest in Hiroki Kuroda while ESPN’s Buster Olney reported this week that Milwaukee is looking at Jamey Carroll.

But as always, there’s hope that the second half will be worth watching and the team will regroup to make changes and get better. Here’s six ways they can do that.

1. Kemp/Kershaw Keep on Doing Work

This is obvious. Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw were well-deserved All-Stars for their first half-performance. With playoff pressure way down due to the team’s record, all they need to do is just repeat their success and watch it translate on the field.

Kemp can keep gunning for that 40 homers/40 stolen bases/.300 batting average in hopes of winning the National League MVP. His play as well as his growing leadership can elevate the team to keep pushing the rest of the season 

As for Kershaw? When the team watches a performance like this week’s 8-inning, 2-hit, 12-strikeout masterpiece against the Giants, you can’t help but step it up like Dionner Navarro did with a homer for that game’s only run. 

If the Dodgers improve in the second half, leading the way will be the guys who led the way in the first half. Because the team won't want to let them down, Kemp and Kershaw can provide boosts in the team's morale and on-field performance.

6. Andre Ethier/James Loney Catch Fire

Both Ethier and Loney have had solid, if not typical seasons but they are hitting below .200 in July. As the No. 3 and 5 hitters, more is expected especially if the team hopes to avoid the cellar of the NL West.

If Matt Kemp is supposed to carry the Dodgers, he needs Ethier to remain consistent getting on base while he keeps looking for his power stroke. Loney also has to worry about keeping his job as he’s eligible for arbitration after this season.

Both players regaining their form could make the Dodgers’ second half a lot more watchable than relying on Kemp’s at bats and waiting every fifth day for Kershaw.