Five All-Star Break Ponderables

1. Does this qualify as a slump? The Dodgers barely had a winning June at 14-12, and they won only nine of their last 17 games heading into the All-Star break. It's been three weeks since they've won three straight. On the other hand, Manny Ramirez has hit three home runs since returning from his suspension and the rest of the offense seems to be percolating as well. With any luck, playing at just over .500 will be as bad as it gets. 2. The pleasantest surprise. The bullpen. An unknown quantity in April, a bedrock now. However, the wear is showing: Ronald Belisario, Will Ohman and Hong-Chih Kuo are on the disabled list, and Jonathan Broxton might join them if his toe doesn't heal over the All-Star break. The 13-man pitching staff worked for Joe Torre in the first half; don't be surprised to see it for most of the second half as well. 3. There is no such thing as worrying too much about having too much pitching. With the Dodgers' unstable fifth-starter ...