Dodgers' All-Star trio performs well

The National League defeated the American League on Tuesday, 5-1. The Dodgers had three representatives at the game, and they all had a hand in the NL gaining home-field advantage in the World Series.

*Side note: This likely helps the Phillies or Giants immensely, so was it really a good thing the NL won?*

Matt Kemp got the start in center field and hit third for the Senior Circuit. Not bad for your first All-Star appearance, eh? He walked in his first at-bat and singled in his second in front of Prince Fielder's MVP-winning 3-run home run.

Clayton Kershaw pitched the fourth inning and promptly struck out Red Sox' slugger David Ortiz on a nasty slider. He needed just eight pitches to retire Ortiz, Robinson Cano and Alex Avila.

Andre Ethier chipped in with an RBI single after a great at-bat against Angels' rookie closer Jordan Walden.

So, it was a rather successful night for the Dodger trio.

Oh, then there was this epic interview Mark Grace did with Justin Timberlake, who said he's a Dodgers' fan and his favorite player of all-time is Orel Hershiser. But him trolling Joe Buck was the best part of the interview.



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Remember how I said yesterday that the Juan Rivera acquisition was a bad sign?

"This doesn't bode well for those hoping the Dodgers will sell at the deadline. Rivera isn't going to put this team on his back and carry them -- he isn't that kind of player. But with the Dodgers riding a four-game winning streak, General Manager Ned Colletti just couldn't pass up the opportunity to acquire a mediocre baseball player."

Well, my fears were confirmed with Ken Gurnick's latest article on the dodgers.com.

Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti:

"That said, we need to execute better in the second half and gain the confidence that we can, and we'll be in buying mode at the (Trade) Deadline, as usual. I'm still confident we can make a run, pick up a game a week and be in a decent spot. We still have a load of games in the division."

So, what's the first word that comes to your mind? Delusional? Insane? Stupid? How about all of the above?

This is just great. I've already stated my position on whether the Dodgers should be buyers or sellers -- many times. If Colletti sacrifices potential impact prospects (the few the Dodgers have) for a chance at finishing in third place instead of fourth or fifth, there will be many more folks with signs standing outside Dodger Stadium, but not to picket the McCourts.

Eighteen days. Eighteen days until the mustachioed one does something inherently stupid. This is not going to be a fun two-and-a-half weeks.