The homestand that was to turn the Dodgers season around has only made it worse

This was to be the homestand that righted the Dodgers, that at least got them to .500, left them poised to make a move.

Twelve games, longest homestand of the year. Big opportunity.

The Dodgers came off their road trip with a record of 31-36, 6½ games behind the division-leading San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

But 10 games into their homestand, the situation has only grown more alarming. The Dodgers have gone 3-7. Instead of closing in on the lead, they’ve fallen nine games back as they've dropped to 34-43.

Last year it took 91 wins to make the playoffs in the National League. The Dodgers would have to go 57-28 the rest of the way to reach 91 victories, a .671 winning percentage.

The best winning percentage in baseball right now is owned by the Phillies -- at .618. The math looks all bad.

"We just have to keep grinding," goes the refrain.

Only time is running out, even if it’s still June.

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-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp flips his bat as he starts his trot following a two-run home run against the Angels in the first inning Friday night in an 8-3 loss to their Southland rivals. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times