Dodgers pitching: Some serious progress, but remember who it’s come against

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So many good numbers, so much right suddenly going on.

You’ll just have to forgive me if I offer a slight qualifier to the Dodgers’ sudden pitching success:

It’s come against the weaklings of the National League.

Not trying to take anything away from what the Dodgers have accomplished during their current eight-game winning streak, not saying that it might not be very real.

Their pitchers have been dominating; just saying it’s come against four teams that are not exactly impressive of late.

The only team they’ve beaten with a winning record is the overrated Padres, who possess the second-worst offense in the National League. One better than the 13-25 Astros, the team they beat Monday. Other victims in the streak: the 19-19 Rockies and 16-23 Diamondbacks.

Dodgers pitchers have combined to post a stunning 1.75 ERA during the winning streak, holding opponents to a .175 batting average.

Those would be impressive numbers if they’d all come against the ’62 Mets. And there’s no doubt starters are throwing more strikes, the bullpen has gotten healthy and that overall they are pitching much better.

But doesn’t some of it have to be attributed to going up against inferior offenses?

‘You still have to throw the ball where we’re trying to throw it,’ said Dodgers Manager Joe Torre. ‘The play is still the same, the catcher is still the same. You make quality pitches, you get good results.

‘Even though the offense that San Diego threw at us wasn’t maybe as deep as the other clubs, if you don’t make good pitches, they’re still going to wax you. I was just pleased with the results.’’

How could he not be?

It continued Monday night with rookie surprise John Ely picking up his second win and the bullpen coming on to again throw blanks. The bullpen has allowed just two runs in its 20 innings during the winning streak.

Still, just offering a slight word of caution to those who might be eager to get carried away. This is light-years ahead of where the Dodgers’ pitching was two week ago and is full of promise. But it’s one stretch and against shaky opposition.

‘Certainly you don’t all of a sudden say, ‘Oh, we’re great,’’ Torre said. ‘You get tested by every team you go up against. This weekend is going to test with Detroit coming in here.’’

-- Steve Dilbeck