Biggest disappointment: Manager Davey Johnson was counting on Jeff Shaw being his closer. An 11-year veteran of five different teams, Shaw, it was thought, had the experience and mental grit to handle the role. Hey, he had done it in 1999, earning 35 saves. So far, he hasn't looked good at all. Shaw has struggled all season, going 2-4 with an 8.00 ERA and 12 saves in 29 appearances. In his last three outings, he allowed six runs and seven hits over just 2 1/3 innings. He's currently on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right elbow.

Biggest surprise: It's not that OF Shawn Green has been disappointing for the Dodgers. We're just a bit surprised at his numbers (.294, 13 homers, 59 RBI and 57 runs through 86 games). For goodness sake, he hit .309 with 42 bombs, 133 RBI and 134 runs scored in Toronto last year. Plus, he's making $9.4 million this season. There are, however, 70-plus games still left to play. Did you hear that Shawn? Surprise us -- again.

Second-half goals: The Dodgers are as inconsistent as any team in the league. One week they play like the '61 Yankees. The next week they play like the '99 Tigers. If they can get a better effort out of their pitching staff (Carlos Perez, Darren Dreifort and Shaw) a run at the wild card is possible.