The conversation could have been entirely different. The schedule presented the Dodgers with a golden opportunity last weekend, four home games against the team with the worst record in the National League.
Had the Dodgers won them all, they would have climbed back to .500, and to within four games of the lead in the NL West. With All-Star third baseman Justin Turner expected to make his season debut when they resume play Tuesday, fans could have cheered rather than cringed at the cry of "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!"
But the Dodgers lost all four games to the Cincinnati Reds, and they are within one game of last place in the NL West.