Does Matt Kemp's Injury Seal Don Mattingly's Fate, End Dodgers' Playoff Hopes?

The MLB gods clearly despise the 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers. Already in the NL West cellar, Don Mattingly's crew has now lost center fielder Matt Kemp to a strained right hamstring for at least the next two weeks, according to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com.

How many more gut punches can L.A. take before falling out of the playoff hunt?

As this cool infographic from The New York Times reminds us, the Dodgers have three other prominent players on the disabled list to keep Kemp company. Their stable of starting pitchers took a hit last month when right-hander Chad Billingsley opted for season-ending Tommy John surgery. A potentially serious issue with Josh Beckett's nerves could lead to a lengthy absence, too (via Mark Saxon).

On the bright side, "one of the best players in the game” could be back in the lineup by Monday, according to the Los Angeles Times. That's shortstop Hanley Ramirez. He contributed three extra-base hits in 12 plate appearances between injuries, whereas all other Dodger shortstops have combined for four.

This team sorely needs Ramirez's bat. Entering their May 31 tilt with the Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers have scored an anemic 180 runs in 52 games (average of 3.46). Ignoring the existence of the Miami Marlins, that's the worst output in the majors.

Another internal option could boost offensive production: outfielder Yasiel Puig. The spring training stud has a gaudy .322/.393/.615 batting line in 39 games at Double-A with eight home runs and 13 stolen bases. Seems like a Cuban (and healthy) version of Kemp, right?

Though Puig profiles more as right fielder than a center fielder, there's no doubt that he possesses the necessary athleticism to perform adequately at either spot (courtesy of MLB.com).

Of course, keep in mind that the Dodgers have the financial resources to acquire more veteran talent this summer. Should the Milwaukee Brewers fail to rebound from a miserable May, perhaps they'll peddle Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez. For the right prospects, general manager Ned Colletti can pry a surplus pitcher from the rebuilding Chicago Cubs.

But the most pressing issue is Mattingly's status as manager. The highest-paid roster in the history of the National League has grossly disappointed under his guidance. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported last week that club president Stan Kasten supports his skipper, motivational tactics and all.

However, there's been little evidence of a turnaround recently. L.A. dropped two of three at home to the St. Louis Cardinals, then split the four-game Freeway Series with the equally scrutinized Los Angeles Angels.

A season total of 90 wins should be enough to secure a playoff berth for the Dodgers, either as a wild card or the champion of a division that's been lacking a dominant team thus far. Getting to that total would mean winning 61.8 percent of their final 110 games following a 22-30 start.

Hey, Mattingly has done that before (sort of). From August 12, 2011 through June 16, 2012, his club was victorious in 70 of 110 regular-season contests (63.6 percent)! Then again, the expectations that needed to be met and the personnel he was using to meet them were very different all those months ago.

Vincent Bonsignore pleaded for former catcher Mike Scioscia to take over as Dodgers skipper in a column for the Los Angeles Daily News. He even cited historical precedent for such a transaction:

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In 1948, Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey orchestrated one of the most bizarre managerial changes in baseball history, essentially handing the New York Giants his manager - Leo Durocher - when he learned the Dodgers were disenchanted with their guy, Mel Ott.

Durocher and Ott were both fired June 15, 1948, with Durocher taking over the Giants the following day.

Circling to 2013 and the Angels and Dodgers both in need of a jolt, could the same thing happen with Mattingly and Scioscia?

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That scenario didn't seem so far-fetched...until the Halos began a fiery streak that has them within sight of the .500 mark. Scioscia ain't going nowhere (at least not this summer).

While Kasten and the ownership group might not feel wholly satisfied with Mattingly, there isn't a superior replacement readily available.

The next month ought to be very revealing. In addition to several NL West rivals, the June schedule pins the Dodgers against potential contenders like the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Regardless of the interim situation, they may have to declare their independence from Mattingly by July 4th if their position in the standings hasn't improved.

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