Will the Dodgers land Roy Oswalt? (Photo: Courtesy of Yardbarker.com)

With the trade deadline right around the corner, the Dodgers still remain idle spectators to everyone else in the league. The question of will they or won’t they make a deal this season is driving most fans crazy right now, especially since the team could certainly benefit from the services of let’s say, Roy Oswalt. The Astros’ asking price of Oswalt, which is deemed as an arm and a leg, could be too expensive for the Dodgers. Still, the front office should be doing everything within their power(s) to make this team better for a run at the post-season.

At 53-46, the Dodgers currently sit in the third-spot of the NL West, and trail first-place San Diego by six games. On Tuesday, the Dodgers enter a series against the Padres, and must make the most out of the series. In fact, the Dodgers play the Padres a whopping seven times in the next ten games. So, if the Dodgers play well against the Padres, as they have all season, they could close the gap between themselves and San Diego.

On the year, the Dodgers are 4-1 against San Diego. The Dodgers hope that Chad Billingsley (8-5, 4.22 ERA) can counter San Diego’s Jon Garland (9-6, 3.61 ERA). The Dodgers’ offense, which is without Manny Ramirez, will have to help the team keep its recent hot-streak alive. Winners of four out of their last five, the Dodgers will need their offense, which is 8th in the MLB with a .263 average, to keep on scoring runs. Andre Either, Matt Kemp and James Loney are among the Dodgers’ best hitters, and will need to get things done without Manny in the lineup.

The question of will they or won’t they make a big trade in order to help alleviate some of the pressure will continue to be a frustrating question up until the deadline. Until then, however, there’s no question that this upcoming stretch of ten games will be very crucial for the Dodgers—with or without Roy Oswalt.

How badly needed was that??  Chad Billingsley delivered the team’s FIRST complete game by a starting pitcher in 2010 and single-handedly put a tally in the victory column upon defeating the Giants 1-0 at Dodger Stadium.

It was the first time all season the Dodgers didn’t have to use their bullpen.

It was the first shutout thrown by a Dodgers pitcher since May of 2009 (Eric Stults? Really?).

It was the first time Billingsley went 9 innings since July 30, 2008 (he shutout the Giants 4-0, at least he knows what opponent to bring the A-stuff against).

Amazingly, it was the fourth 1-0 game the Dodgers have come out on top of in 2010.  Their record in 1-0 games stands at 4-2 thus far.  Billingsley has won two 1-0 games already this year.  Maybe he’s developing the “stopper” mentality that many did not think he had within his DNA.

It gave the franchise a sliver of hope that Kershaw and Billingsley are capable of leading the rotation, provide big innings, and carry the team to the post-season.

It came at an incredibly good time for the Blue Crew.  With the trade deadline a mere 9 days away, Joe Torre and company were given an outstanding audition by the 25 year old Ohio native.  It could sway their desire to acquire a veteran, upper-echelon starter or even use Billingsley as trade fodder (who was sought by Seattle in talks for Cliff Lee).

It was the start of something big for the 2010 Dodgers.  (fingers crossed)