But the Dodgers have stranded a NL-high 338 runners, so even though they’ve overachieved in some offensive categories, their long-range prognosis at the plate is guarded at best. And so is their tenure atop the NL West. They also happen to lead the NL in errors with 36, an ominous sign for a pitching-dependent squad.

General manager Ned Colletti concentrated on pitching in the offseason, bringing in Schmidt and Randy Wolf. Penny was almost an afterthought. He might be the most overlooked top starter in the league. That might be because of his 2006 second-half fade and his injury issues in the past (an elbow problem limited him to three starts in 2004, his initial season with the Dodgers after coming over in a trade with the Florida Marlins).

Penny is the awesome hurler in which many are reluctant to put their faith. He is the hefty, powerful, fastball-centric stud who should have more impressive career marks than 78-63 and 3.98 ERA. He is the mild disappointment who still hints at greatness every time he takes the hill.

That was almost the case against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday when Penny had six runners get into scoring position, but kept all of them from scoring in a 5-1 win.

Penny, Derek Lowe, Wolf and Tomko represent a respectable rotation, even as Schmidt rehabs to regain arm strength after a mysterious lack of pop carried over from spring training to the season; Schmidt took a positive step forward Sunday, however, as he threw a strong 100-pitch simulated game. Then there’s Mark Hendrickson, who has turned around his career this season, although he had a small setback Saturday night in a loss to the Angels.

With a bullpen that contains Chad Billingsley (currently riding a scoreless streak of 10.2 innings over seven appearances), Jonathan Broxton, Chin-hui Tsao and closer Saito, the Dodgers’ lifeblood is once again flowing from their pitching.

That would make the ticker Brad Penny. In theory, he should keep pumping out success. But with him, you never know.

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