With a tip of the cap to our friends in the Dodgers P.R. department, a little perspective on how well The Big Blue is playing right now:

The Dodgers are off to their best 71-game start since 1974, when they were 47-24 after losing to the Braves on June 24, 1974.

The Dodgers have won three in a row, four of five, and seven of their last 10 games. At 22-14, their road record is the second best in baseball, next to the Philadelphia Phillies (24-9).

The Dodgers are unbeaten in their last eight series, going 6-0-2 with a 16-9 overall mark in that span. The Dodgers last lost a series May 22-24, when the Angels took two of three at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles has not lost a series on the road since the Giants took two of three in San Francisco from April 27-29.

The Dodgers are the only team in Major League Baseball that has not lost three games in a row this season.

The Dodgers are tied with the Red Sox for the best record in baseball beginning May 7, when Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. A list of the Top-5 teams in that time:

Rank Team Record

T1. Los Angeles-NL 26-16

Boston 26-16

T3. New York-AL 25-18

Los Angeles-AL 25-18

5. Colorado 26-19

IN THE CLUTCH – The Dodgers are the only team in baseball to have four players batting at least .300 on the season. Currently, Juan Pierre (.329), Matt Kemp (.314), Orlando Hudson (.309), and Casey Blake (.300) are all hitting at .300 or better. Just as important, these four, along with James Loney, are leading the way with runners in scoring position:

DODGER AVERAGES WITH RISP – 2009

1. Juan Pierre .345

2. Matt Kemp .299

Casey Blake .299

4. James Loney .298

5. Orlando Hudson .292