For all the credit the Dodgers' potent lineup is getting for the team's early season run to the top of the National League West, the pitching staff has contributed almost as much.
Through 13 games, the Dodgers have a team ERA of 3.16. The allegedly shaky starting rotation has been especially surprising, going 7-2 with a 3.13 ERA. The club has played seven games in which its starting pitcher didn't give up more than one run. And on the just completed homestand, the rotation posted a 2.55 ERA.
The keys have been Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw, who appear to be feeding off each other's success. Billingsley is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA through three starts, and though Kershaw has yet to get a decision, he has a 1.50 ERA through two starts and held the Giants to one run and one hit over seven dominating innings Wednesday night.
The bullpen, which was expected to be the team's Achilles' heel, has been almost as good. In a total of 42 innings spanning 38 individual appearances, Dodgers relievers have combined for a 3.21 ERA.
The biggest surprises of the bullpen have been closer Jonathan Broxton, who has been inconsistent in the past but has been all but unhittable since taking over the role on a permanent basis for the first time in his career, and rookie Ronald Belisario, who technically made the team out of minor-league camp and has struck out 12 batters while allowing only a run on six hits over 8 2/3 innings.
