Actually, they’re in a better position

Although the second-place Dodgers began the second half of the season Monday five games under .500, they were actually better off in the standings than they were a year ago. After 81 games last season, the Dodgers were 45-36 but stood third in the National League West behind the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.

And most of the team stats are remarkably similar as well despite the disparity in the records with this summer’s Dodgers carrying an average of .257 and a 3.73 earned-run average into the second half compared with marks of .266 and 3.78 last year.

Nothing doing

When the Dodgers and Houston Astros each scored in the first inning Monday, it ended a streak in which the Dodgers played in five consecutive shutouts -- three of which they won. The Dodgers are the first NL team to do that since the Atlanta Braves in September 2002. No major league team has played in six consecutive shutouts in more than 54 seasons.

Out of the running

With less than 48 hours remaining in fan balloting for the starting lineups in this month’s All-Star game, no Dodger ranks among the leaders at any position. Russell Martin, an NL starter in last year’s game, was in the early running at catcher but fell out of the top five two weeks ago.

The Chicago Cubs, meanwhile, have players ranked among the top three at all six positions (the three outfield spots are grouped together).

Online voting at mlb.com closes Wednesday at 8:59 p.m. PDT.

Ticket deal

The Dodgers and the website Travelzoo.com are offering tickets at deep discounts for the team’s final seven home games before the All-Star break. Under the promotion, reserve seats will go for $3, lower reserved for $6, infield reserved for $9 and field seats for $18. To purchase tickets, log on to www.travelzoo.com/newsflash.asp?429281 and use the promo code TZOOJULY.

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kevin.baxter@latimes.com