5 Things We Learned from San Francisco Giants' 3-Game Sweep of LA Dodgers

One month ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record in baseball and a 6.5 lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. Though it was too early to declare the division race already finished, it appeared the Dodgers' first-place standing was rather comfortable.

However, Don Mattingly's team was in a free fall before playing a three-game set with the Giants this week. Going into the series, the Dodgers had lost five of their last six games and eight of their past 12. 

That reduced the Dodgers' first-place lead over the Giants to three games. With a sweep, San Francisco could tie for the lead in the NL West. How often does that happen, though? The Dodgers would win at least one game and escape AT&T Park with a first-place lead, right? 

All things are possible, as the Dodgers learned painfully. Not only did they lose all three games to the Giants, but they didn't score a single run. As Dodger Thoughts' Jon Weisman pointed out, that's the first time the Dodgers have been shut out in three consecutive games since 1937. 

And now we have a first-place tie in the NL West. The Dodgers are reeling and the Giants are a playoff contender. 

So what did the Giants' three-game sweep show us? Here are five things we learned. 

Help wanted: outfield

This is a Captain Obvious statement, but the Dodgers badly need some outfield help. Matt Kemp's absence already left a gaping hole. However, Andre Ethier can't carry the lineup by himself.

Dodgers outfielders hit a combined 4-for-33 (.121) in these three games versus the Giants. Making matters worse, Ethier suffered an oblique injury in Wednesday's loss. Players don't often come back from those quickly. The Los Angeles Times' Steve Dilbeck reports Ethier will likely go on the disabled list Thursday. 

General manager Ned Colletti needs to get an outfielder fast. The Padres' Carlos Quentin is sure to be available. Maybe the Twins would listen to an offer for Josh Willingham. ESPN's Buster Olney reported the Dodgers are interested in the Cubs' Bryan LaHair but have concerns about his defense. While Colletti is on the phone with Theo Epstein, he might as well ask about Alfonso Soriano, too. 

The Royals' Jeff Francoeur is another name to toss out there. The Astros would have to get Carlos Lee to waive his no-trade rights. Would the Angels be interested in trading Peter Bourjos? Maybe Colletti could talk to the Tigers about Brennan Boesch or Delmon Young. Yes, Delmon Young—this is how serious it's become. Call the Mariners and see if they'd trade Ichiro Suzuki. This is serious.

Help wanted: first and third base

Captain Obvious checks in again to point out the Dodgers need a bat at first or third base. (Let's presume Colletti can't get both, since he also has to find an outfielder.) 

James Loney and Juan Rivera hit a combined 2-for-12 (.167) at first base in the past three games. Elian Herrera and Juan Uribe went 0-for-11 at third base. 

Colletti has needed an upgrade for his corner infield positions all season. LaHair could also help there, as he played first base for most of the season. Could the Astros make Chris Johnson available? What about shooting for the moon and asking the Marlins about Hanley Ramirez?

Marco Scutaro could be a possibility if the Rockies don't need him at shortstop. Chris Nelson might also be available, if Colorado decides Jordan Pacheco is their future at third base. The Reds could offer Scott Rolen. If the Orioles fall out of contention, maybe Mark Reynolds goes on the trade block. 

Tim Lincecum is back

Maybe it's a bit of an overreaction to say Tim Lincecum has finally experienced his 2012 breakthrough.

"I was focusing my pissed-offedness, you could say, in the right direction,” Lincecum said to CSNBayArea.com's Andrew Baggarly. "I’m not sure madness is the right word, or frustration. It’s like, `I’ve got nothing left to lose here'…But for me, that was enough."

Shutting out the Dodgers was obviously important, but their lineup is a mess right now. Holding the Oakland Athletics to three hits in his previous start was impressive, but the A's have the lowest team batting average in the majors. 

However, a good pitcher should shut down those lineups. If the Dodgers and A's had battered Lincecum around and extended his winless streak to 10 games, there would have been extreme concern. Drastic measures such as taking Lincecum out of the rotation were a distinct possibility. That kind of talk has been shelved for the time being.

Hector Sanchez: Lincecum's caddy

Buster Posey is undoubtedly the Giants' starting catcher. He will probably start for the National League in the All-Star Game. However, he probably isn't the best catcher for Lincecum right now.

Sanchez has been behind the plate for each of Lincecum's past two starts. And with Lincecum pitching well in those two games, that seems unlikely to change.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy won't commit to a permanent Lincecum-Sanchez pairing because he needs Posey in the lineup. However, as Baggarly writes, we'll see what happens when Lincecum starts next Tuesday after the Giants have a day off. Does Bochy dare mess with a good thing? 

Matt Cain isn't the Giants' only ace

When I put NL Cy Young Award rankings together each week, at least one commenter will say I'm snubbing Ryan Vogelsong.

Given the number of pitchers putting up great numbers, it's been difficult to justify including Vogelsong among the top five contenders, but maybe that needs to be reconsidered. Matt Cain may be the Giants' ace starting pitcher, but Vogelsong is pitching like a second ace. At the very least, he is an extremely strong No. 2 in San Francisco's rotation.

With Tuesday night's shutout of the Dodgers, Vogelsong has pitched 11 straight games in which he's allowed three runs or fewer. In seven of those appearances, he allowed no more than one run.

At face value, Vogelsong may not be among the league's most dominant pitchers. However, opposing lineups aren't scoring many runs against him. If Vogelsong is not great, he's certainly very, very good. His 2.23 ERA is now the fifth best among NL starting pitchers. 

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