LA Dodgers: Second Half Expectations for Team's Biggest Stars

After a blistering start to the season in which the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record in the majors, the injury bug has taken its toll, and L.A. has been surpassed by the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.

Center fielder Matt Kemp looked like a bona fide threat to win the Triple Crown before he went down with nagging injuries.

Back in the lineup with the now-healthy Andre Ethier, the Dodgers are hoping to make a second-half run for the pennant.

Here are the second-half expectations for the team's biggest stars.

Clayton Kershaw

With 125 strikeouts, Clayton Kershaw is among the leaders in the NL.

While his ERA is slightly up from his magical Cy Young year, Kershaw is still, by many metrics, an elite starting pitcher.

His record is deceiving at 7-5, and more so a product of the team's atrocious hitting than it is a product of poor pitching. In most of his games, Kershaw has performed well.

Kershaw deserves some credit for the Dodgers low team ERA. At 3.30, the Dodgers have the second lowest ERA in the majors, just behind the Washington Nationals.

If the Dodgers plan on holding off the Giants, Kershaw needs to continue his production as the Dodgers' ace.

Chris Capuano

Pitcher Chris Capuano has been quietly consistent for the Dodgers this year.

In light of pitcher Chad Billingsley's slow year, Capuano has been among the nicest surprises of the season for the Dodgers.

His ERA of 2.75 is down significantly from his relatively high 4.55 ERA last year with the New York Mets.

Although he's on pace to walk more batters than last year (roughly 70 to 53), he has been an effective starter for the Dodgers.

With nine wins, Capuano has the most of any Dodger pitcher. If the hitting eventually comes through, he could finish the season with a career year.

Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario

The Dodgers dominant bullpen is among the best in the majors thanks to effective relief from Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario.

With a WHIP of just 0.80 and an ERA of 2.18, Jansen has been a capable closer for the Dodgers. 

While he is not a surefire finisher by any means, his velocity and control have been key to the Dodgers ability to closeout games.

Belisario has been comparable.

A WHIP of 0.89 and a 1.48 ERA, Belisario has made Dodgers' relief nearly unhittable.

Despite their dominance, Jansen still has too many blown saves. Four blown saves in 20 appearances has cost the Dodgers too much ground in the NL West.

A strong second half by Jansen, Belisario and co. will be crucial for the Dodgers the rest of the season.

Dee Gordon

The Dodgers speedy leadoff hitter, Dee Gordon has been suffering from some serious growing pains this season.

Out of the lineup with a thumb injury, Gordon should utilize the time off to re-evaluate; it often seems like the game is moving too fast for him.

While Gordon leads the NL with 30 stolen bases, the rest of his numbers are underwhelming.

He has only 36 runs on 69 hits. Most significantly, his OBP is just .280.

Don Mattingly insists on having him hit leadoff, but Gordon could really benefit from moving around in the lineup.

He has been awful on defense as well.

Gordon already has 17 errors this season, the most among any shortstop in the game.

There's much to improve on for the young Gordon. If he can start getting on base when he returns from injury, then he will take a lot of pressure off the Dodgers' offense.

Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier was among the biggest benefactors of Matt Kemp's hot start.

With Kemp healthy again, Ethier has regained some resemblance of his early season consistency.

His 85 hits are decent, but his home runs could be up from 11. His RBI have been the most impressive, however. At 60, he is ranked fourth in the NL, and just five behind NL leader Carlos Beltran.

Ethier's .297 batting average is near his career average, but one would think that he would be hitting better given the money the Dodgers are paying him.

Other than Kemp, Ethier is arguably the team's best hitter. Having him come through will be integral to the team's success moving forward.

Matt Kemp

Plain and simple, Matt Kemp accounts for most of the Dodgers' offensive firepower.

His red hot start was one of the reasons for the Dodgers' torrid pace to start the year. Once injuries caught up with him, he was forced out of the lineup and the Dodgers fell into a miserable tailspin.

Back in the lineup, Kemp is already contributing, hitting the ball well in his return from a hamstring injury.

Having played in under 40 games thus far, Kemp has batted an incredible .369, with 12 homeruns and 28 RBI.

Had he stayed healthy all season, he would surely be contending with Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen for best hitter in the NL.

His impact on the team's morale is also tremendous. With No. 27 in the lineup, the Dodgers seem to have some added confidence.

Offensively, the Dodgers will go as far as Kemp takes them. How he performs down the stretch could dictate whether or not this team makes the postseason.