Los Angeles Dodgers: Will They Match the Best Start in Franchise History?

The Los Angeles Dodgers improved to 5-1 with their win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.

Fans are cautiously optimistic, however, because the wins have come against the Padres (three) and Pirates (two).

There is reason to be excited though. Chad Billingsley is pitching lights out (2-0, 0.63 ERA), Dee Gordon is having the early makings of a breakout season and Andre Ethier finally looks healthy. This is in addition to the cornerstones of the team, Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp, playing to form.

Starting 5-1 is an accomplishment in itself. The franchise hasn't held that good of a record in 13 years.

The best start in franchise history is the 12-2 mark they set during the 2005 campaign. To match this they need to go 7-1 over their next eight games.

Over those next eight games the Dodgers play four games at home (one against Pittsburgh, and three against San Diego). They then hit the road for a three-game-series at both Milwaukee and Houston.

The biggest question mark early on is how dependable Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano are going to be at the back end of the starting rotation. Not only will this determine whether or not the club can match the 12-2 start, it's also the most important variable for the overall success of the season.

Should the Dodgers see themselves at 12-2, it doesn't necessarily mean the season will be favorable for them. When they won 12 of their first 14 games in 2005, they finished the season with a 71-91 record.

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