Struggling Dodgers offense will return almost intact in 2013

Is a little sneak preview too much to ask? Because, honestly, this can’t be it.

The Dodgers offense has been struggling to produce all season, yet now with that new super middle of the order, it’s actually gotten worse (3.3 runs per game with Adrian Gonzalez vs. 4.0 before).

The Dodgers can’t manufacture runs, and at the moment, can’t play long ball, either. They are at the bottom of most every offensive statistic, unless you get excited about sacrifice hits. Yet despite being second in that category — just one back of Milwaukee! – they are 26^th in runs.

All the offensive numbers look bad: 29^th in home runs, extra-base hits and slugging percentage, 20^th in on-base percentage (even with A.J. Ellis), 19^th in hits, 18^th in average, 17^th in stolen bases and fifth in grounding into double plays.

Dodgers management did more than anyone expected in-season to address obvious needs, adding Shane Victorino to the top of the order to give them an everyday left fielder, and Hanley Ramirez and Gonzalez to what at least sounds like a formidable middle of the order with Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.

But it isn’t happening, and during a stretch run that is now key to their season.

And the thing is, this is going to be the same group the Dodgers are expected to show up with next spring.

Most of their serious offseason work already has been done. Aside from likely losing Victorino and the possible the return of Dee Gordon, this 2012 lineup figures to be the 2013 lineup.

But it’s not producing. Granted, it’s still a small sample size, but it would be nice if this current Dodgers incarnation could at least hint at things to come. You know, while a postseason bid is at least within the realm of possibility.

This current lineup will rely more on a power game than the group the Dodgers used in the first half, but for the most part, that’s not surfacing either. And there are just 21 games to go.

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