We'd like to welcome the Dodgers to the cathedral of belief. It seems the L.A. fans haven't quite taken to new ownership or the radically revamped roster, and for a team with such fabulous potential, it was a bit disappointing to see so many empty seats during the Dodgers' recent seven-game homestand.

"Too often Dodger Stadium still looks like a Frank McCourt crowd," wrote Steve Dilbeck in the Los Angeles Times, "where every other season seat appears empty. Maybe too many believed this team was not for real."

The Giants might not win anything this year, and their lineup is prone to maddening spells of futility, but they're an easy sell to a passionate fan base in a ridiculously fun ballpark. As a telling three-game series opens Friday night at AT&T Park, the Dodgers once again will find themselves immersed in raucous noise, the most consistently vibrant atmosphere in either league.

Should either team sweep this series, the consequences will be titanic. The Giants can send L.A. eight games back in the loss column, basically ending the race for the division title. The Dodgers could get themselves 1 1/2 games back and, assuming they rough up the San Francisco pitching staff in the process, turn manager Bruce Bochy's concern into a full-blown crisis.

A few key story lines to watch along the way:

Hanley Ramirez: He has been by far the most productive of the Dodgers' recent acquisitions, cranking out 10 homers and 37 RBIs in his 40 games with the team. This man exudes confidence when he's on (check out that sweeping follow-through, essentially a tribute to his wonderfulness), and he already owns two homers against Sergio Romo - one in each park.

Hunter Pence: He has yet to see a pitch he doesn't like. Pence comes to the plate with such boundless energy, and such a desire to please, he just can't help himself. But he's hurting the club, in a big way, with such a reckless approach. Remember, Giants fans: This is a highly respected player with a handsome track record and big-time power to all fields. Prince of a guy, as well. Mix in just a bit of patience with all that enthusiasm, and he'll make a huge difference.

Powerless: The Dodgers are 5-7 since the deal with Boston and Adrian Gonzalez has been a .260 hitter (13-for-50) in his new uniform, going homerless since that dramatic first at-bat at Dodger Stadium. Matt Kemp is 3-for-25 since his brutal collision with an outfield wall in Colorado. As a result, the Dodgers have played a series of high-tension games, not a blowout in sight. The Giants can only hope this continues through the weekend, because it's not going to last.

Brandon Belt: This is a rough time for the Giants to be undermanned in left field. Xavier Nady is out (hamstring) and Gregor Blanco looks to be most effective off the bench, but Belt doesn't need to be shifting positions. His defense is a godsend at first base, and he has his average up to .275. That's the direct result of a clear mind and no surprises.

Josh Beckett: As much as the Giants have riding on Tim Lincecum's outing Friday night, it's a bigger start for Beckett. The Dodgers are running out of breathing space, and it was announced this week that Chad Billingsley, who had been 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last seven starts before going on the disabled list, will be out for the year and might need Tommy John surgery.

Patience: The Dodgers revealed their sense of urgency by adjusting Clayton Kershaw's routine so he can pitch Sunday night's game (against Barry Zito, who stays on schedule). They're showing a lot more caution with closer Kenley Jansen, he of the 100-mph fastball. In the wake of his second career episode with an irregular heartbeat, Jansen will remain on blood thinners and won't pitch until Sept. 17 at the earliest. (However his month unfolds, he'll undergo surgery in the offseason to correct his heart arrhythmia.)

Win that division: You wouldn't say the Giants have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but they're not much concerned with the wild-card race, either - and that's a blessing they share with the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds. The new postseason setup makes it imperative to win a division and let the wild-card contenders wallow in desperation.

In past years, there was virtually no penalty for wild-card status. It meant an automatic trip into a best-of-five Division Series, and five wild-card teams (including last year's Cardinals and the 2002 Angels, against the Giants) have gone all the way to the World Series title.

This year? Sheer October chaos. An extra wild-card team has been added in each league, but the Dodgers are in a tight race with Atlanta, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, with Arizona and Milwaukee on the outside.

Picture this contrast:

Giants win the division so comfortably, they're not even worried about the final regular-season series that ends in Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 3. They enjoy the ensuing two days off, assemble a totally healthy pitching staff and get ready for the Division Series opener Saturday.

The Dodgers throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into that Giants series. They crawl into the second wild-card slot, but wait - they're tied with the Cardinals. They'll need a one-game playoff in St. Louis on Thursday to see which team qualifies. Then it's a one-game, winner-take-all game against the other wild-card team Friday.

Listen, it could get even worse for a wild-card team. What if three teams are tied, and need two days to settle it? Just win the division, case closed. It's the road to glory.