Shrewd Colletti has LA eyeing October

LOS ANGELES -- Excluding strike-shortened seasons, the Dodgers haven't finished first in back-to-back seasons since 1977-78 or reached the postseason three times in a four-year span since 1963-66.

They're on the verge of doing both.

Dodgers at a glance 2009 record: 95-67 2008 record: 84-78 NL West champs NL best record NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Buy now WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Loney: Taking good swings • Kuo: Long road back • Thome: Back in Philly • Loney: Building resume • Bullpen: Led by Broxton • Torre: Rep precedes him • Blake: Chemistry guy • Kershaw: Game 1 nod? • Dodgers: Eyes on prize • Kemp: Path of the pros • Furcal: Back healthy • Kershaw: Like Koufax • Hudson: Keeping head up • Billingsley: Unknown role • Ethier: Slump over • Torre: Tough decisions • Kershaw: Elite comparisons • Kemp: Nearly elite • Kershaw: Path to the pros • Billingsley: Fate in balance • Ethier: Aims to improve • Torre: Back to playoffs • Kershaw: Ready to rock • Rotation: Plenty of options • Kemp: Chasing LA history • Bullpen: Dominant pair • Honeycutt: Pitching guru • Kemp: Tools to match talent • Ethier: Walk-off wonder • Billingsley: Vying for spot • Ethier/Kemp: Dynamic duo • Torre: Another pennant race • Pierre: Receives high praise • Kershaw: Beyond his years More Dodgers coverage • Dodgers, Broxton stung by Phils in ninth Game 4 remains unkind to Broxton Phillies have Dodgers in tight spot Dodgers attempt to shake off heartbreaker With season on line, LA turns to Padilla Dodgers overwhelmed in Game 3 Wolf to put fond memories aside Kuroda makes no excuses for performance Runs hard to come by for Dodgers Beyond Game 4, rotation a question Dodgers ready to weather chill in Philly Kuroda gets ball for Game 3 Temperatures will be a challenge Rally revives Dodgers, evens NLCS Dodgers can't recover from Phils' homers Sherrill's rough inning costly Kershaw unravels quickly in Gm. 1 For starters, Dodgers have options October continues to be Torre's time After sweep, Dodgers reload rotation Sweep deal: Dodgers return to NLCS Dodgers hope party isn't last of 2009 Manny's big game a great sign Sweep leaves LA waiting on Rox, Phils Padilla silences critics with gem Dodgers excited, but keep eye on prize Affable Padilla on top of his game Torre, the person, leads way Dodgers stun Cardinals in ninth From walk to walk-off, Blake set stage Kershaw comes of age in Game 2 start Holliday takes place in long line of 'goats' Padilla grateful for 'second life' in LA Cards focused, but history against them Kemp, bullpen pull through in Game 1 Kershaw ready to grow up on big stage Short turnaround awaits NLDS foes Dodgers, Cardinals break left-on-base mark Middle of defense turns tables fast Billingsley gets call for Game 4 No surprises as Dodgers set roster Call to Wolf is easy decision One win nets Dodgers division, home-field Dodgers end drama, wrap up NL West Dodgers' division lead whittled to one Dodgers leave SD without division title LA drops chance to clinch NL West Ohman undergoes shoulder surgery Bucs keep Dodgers' celebration on ice Dodgers stunned; West party on hold Dodgers clinch postseason berth Playoffs await after win over Bucs Dodgers denied in playoff clinch attempt Wolf rolling as postseason beckons Blake playing it careful with hamstring Dodgers trim playoff magic number to one Billingsley sharp, LA not in loss to Nats Postseason magic number down to two Dodgers beat Giants' ace to stay on track Kershaw says he's ready to go Ethier blossoms into prime-time player Billingsley confident turnaround is coming Kershaw pitching beyond his years Ethier helps Dodgers pad West lead Dodgers shut down by former ace Penny Dodgers leave Giants reeling in NL West Dodgers protect lead with Kuroda's help Bauman: Pitching will carry Dodgers Messy ninth inning costs Dodgers

Frank McCourt owns the Dodgers and Joe Torre manages them, but this is Ned Colletti's club. He traded for Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez, he refused to trade away Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw, and he signed Randy Wolf and Vicente Padilla.

Since the general manager took over four years ago, the only team in the league with more wins is Philadelphia. Colletti inherited a club that finished 20 games below .500, and in four years, the Dodgers are 50 games above .500. Colletti's best win-loss record of the four seasons will be this year -- after trimming the payroll by $20 million.

Until or unless his Dodgers win a World Series, Colletti's tenure will be highlighted by his stretch-run deals the past two seasons, packaging prospects for immediate impact players.

Nobody could have more impact than Ramirez last year, but Colletti has been equally successful plugging in overlooked and underrated players such as Casey Blake, whose professional demeanor and steady play haven't wavered this year.

"When a team plays hard and puts itself in position to win, they deserve to see that you're trying to get them more tools to win," said Colletti. "When a quality person like George Sherrill or Jim Thome walks in the clubhouse, players recognize that ownership and the front office are acknowledging what you've done."

Critics blame Colletti this year for not getting a Cliff Lee deal done at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, and even though the Dodgers were bidding for the ace until the end, Lee could haunt them this postseason.

But if the Dodgers get that far, it will be in part because of the deals that brought them Sherrill, Ronnie Belliard, Padilla, Jon Garland and Thome.

With Jonathan Broxton closing, Sherrill's eighth innings are sometimes overlooked. But he hasn't been scored upon in 22 of the 23 times Torre has used him, for a microscopic 0.42 ERA.

"He's been here for six weeks," said Colletti, "and all you can think of him is getting outs. There's been a positive domino effect in the bullpen, because now you're not putting people in the seventh and eighth innings trying to find their way."

The versatile Belliard has three homers and eight RBIs in 13 games since coming from Washington for a pair of Minor Leaguers, seeing extended playing time because of Blake's hamstring and Orlando Hudson's slump. Colletti had similar success after acquiring Marlon Anderson three years earlier.

With injuries to Wolf and Kershaw, Padilla and Garland have been invaluable. Padilla hasn't shown any of the personality flaws that got him run out of Texas, just a model citizen who's gone 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in four starts for the Dodgers. Garland has been right behind (2-0. 3.32 in three starts).

"Padilla was in some ways a gamble, but we felt it was one we could take with the strength of our clubhouse," Colletti said. "He's pitched very well for us."

Colletti is in the fourth and final guaranteed season of a contract that also includes a "mutual option" for 2010. He doesn't talk much about his status, but doesn't seem worried about it either.

He's more successful than the five general managers who preceded him, if not more secure, even with the failures of free-agent signings Jason Schmidt and Andruw Jones.