Dodgers thriving despite setbacks

SAN DIEGO - The star shortstop is trending toward the Mendoza line. The pillar at third base has homered once. The presumptive ace has an earned-run average above 5.00 and the actual ace has already spent two weeks on the injured list. The most expensive free-agent acquisition is marooned with his latest elbow injury and the second-priciest new guy pitches like a powder keg.

All these things are true for the Los Angeles Dodgers. But after five weeks of baseball, so is this: The team resides atop the National League West, well positioned to capture its seventh consecutive division title and resolute in pursuit of the title that has eluded the franchise since 1988. Unlike 2018, when