ESPN: Jackson: Dodgers are at a crossroads

Or dust my broom (ongoing dispute I imagine).

But probably the most important thing the Dodgers can do from here on out is relax and have fun playing baseball. Much of the appearance of lifelessness this team has presented in recent days is due more to tension, guys putting enormous pressure on themselves to perform in key situations and consequently rarely getting it done, and the frustration that has resulted from those repeated failures.

Although the Dodgers are still probably a week or two from mathematical elimination, the obvious reality is they aren’t going to the playoffs. Thus, there really is no external pressure on them anymore, so why should there be internal pressure?The

Dodgers begin a four-game series at Houston on Thursday night, following an overnight flight and a 5 a.m. arrival. If they really are running on fumes, that would seem to be a situation that would only exacerbate the problem. But if playing tight and tense is the real problem—and by most accounts, it is—maybe going to Minute Maid Park a little bleary-eyed could actually play in the Dodgers’ favor. Maybe they will be too tired to worry about it. Maybe they will be just relaxed enough to play like a team with nothing left to lose.

And maybe if they can do that, they will stop losing.