The Dodgers, their 12-0 pounding at the hands of the lowly Houston Astros on Sunday notwithstanding, are off to one of the hottest starts in franchise history. Here are five things the club needs to do in order to hold onto first place in the National League West over the next 5 1/2 months and actually win the division.

1. Win a series against a formidable opponent

Heading into Monday night’s series opener against the Atlanta Braves, the Dodgers have yet to play a team that is above .500; their four opponents thus far have combined to go 24-40. That figure can be a little misleading this early in the season, but what is more telling is that the Dodgers have played only one team this season that is expected to contend for a playoff spot. That team, the Milwaukee Brewers, handed the Dodgers their one series loss of the season to date.

2. Give it a rest

The bullpen, that is. Through 16 games, Dodgers starters -- who have gone an impressive 7-2 with a 3.04 ERA -- are averaging fewer than six innings a game. That figure is skewed somewhat by Chad Billingsley getting knocked out of the box Sunday and Clayton Kershaw leaving the season opener after three because of illness, but the effect is the same. It’s too early to say the ‘pen is overworked, but the fact the team has played 16 games and Kenley Jansen already has pitched in 10 of them is somewhat eye-opening.

3. Get more production out of the top

Dee Gordon has the potential to be a great leadoff hitter, but the scouting reports clearly have caught up to him, and thus far, he hasn’t been able to adjust. After going 0-for-4 with a couple of strikeouts Sunday, Gordon is hitting .279 -- including a ghastly .277 on-base percentage. You can’t steal second until you get on first, and Gordon isn’t doing that nearly often enough. And your leadoff man can’t strike out once every 4.3 plate appearances.

4. Get more production out of Andre Ethier

Yeah, he started off hot. But since hitting his most recent home run Tuesday night, Ethier is 4 for 19 with five strikeouts and four RBIs. Matt Kemp is carrying this club offensively, and while we all know Kemp is capable of doing that for long stretches, he can’t do it for the entire season. Ethier is the second-most important offensive player on this club, and if he is hoping to hit the big jackpot, either in free agency this fall or with the incoming new ownership this summer, he’s going to have to do better than a .279 average and a .333 OBP, even if he does lead the team with five doubles and is second to Kemp with four homers and 21 RBI.

5. Get more production out of James Loney
Club officials began the season with so much hope for this guy after he had a monster second half last year and a strong spring training. So far, though, it’s been the same old, same old. Loney is hitting .217 with one home run, four RBI and two -- yes, two -- runs scored, hardly the kind of numbers a team needs from a corner infielder and cornerstone player.