BTW, tickets for this entire series (as well as the NLCS, should the Dodgers advance) at Dodger Stadium is already sold out.
The Hot Link dog will be available for this series against Braves and will be available only at the King’s Hawaiian Grill in the Left Field Plaza. It features a Hot Link with BBQ sauce and vinegar slaw. See it on the right.
"I was able to get off to a good start," Stripling said. "I went through the lineup once I think [in] less than 30 pitches, so I was in a good spot, then had a 33-pitch fourth. Obviously, the two homers, then was able to limit it to that. After that, you know you're trying to get through that inning and settle down and [I] was able to do that. Went 6 2/3 and just give us a chance to win, which is what I was trying to do when I went out there."
The Dodgers have won in each of Stripling's last five starts. His performance Sunday was buoyed by Los Angeles' offense, which bounced back from a quiet night Saturday to post seven runs while collecting 10 hits.Photo above of Ross Stripling via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:
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| Smoked BBQ Chicken Nachos |
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| Frito Pie Extreme Dog |
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| Turkey Pastrami Gravy Fries |
A new item has been added to the menu at Dodger Stadium. It is called the Think Blue Burrito and it includes pulled pork, black beans, Spanish rice, Pico de Gallo, and avocado crema wrapped in a flour tortilla. See it on the right. You can find it on the Reserve level, Section 32.
Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM. Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.
The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive Great Dodger Moments Coin #5 featuring the 1984 Olympics. See it on the right.
The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Bud Norris, minor league outfielder Dian Toscano, a player to be named later and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league pitchers Philip Pfeifer (LHP) and Caleb Dirks (RHP). To make room for Norris on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated left-hander Ian Thomas for assignment.
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Toscano, 27, hit .226 with 10 RBI in 58 games with the Braves’ Double-A Mississippi this year following five seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, where he batted .299 with 13 home runs and 101 RBI in 261 games with Villa Clara. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound, left-handed hitter was originally signed by Atlanta as an international free agent on Jan. 28, 2015.
The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Bud Norris, minor league outfielder Dian Toscano, a player to be named later and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league pitchers Philip Pfeifer (LHP) and Caleb Dirks (RHP). To make room for Norris on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated left-hander Ian Thomas for assignment.
Norris has been one of the National League’s best pitchers this month, going 2-1 in six games (five starts) with Atlanta and ranking among the league’s best in ERA (2.08, 10th), opponents’ batting average (.194, 7th) and WHIP (0.96, 10th). Overall, the 31-year-old has posted a 3-7 record with a 4.22 ERA in 22 games (10 starts) this season, including a 2.08 ERA (11 ER/47.2 IP) in his last 17 games (five starts) since May 2.
“You look over the last couple weeks, he’s not swinging well, and sometimes, I think it’s good to get away,” Roberts said.BTW, the Dodgers lost a tough one yesterday. With Clayton Kershaw on the mound they continued their losing ways on the road by losing to Pittsburgh 4-3. Unfortunately, Kershaw had an uncharacteristic start. He went only six innings, throwing 98 pitches, striking out only four, walking two and giving up nine hits. All four earned runs came across the plate in the second inning. Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:
"It just really comes down to limit the damage," said Kershaw, who allowed nine hits in six innings. "Some of those hits, I missed some spots, but they didn't hit it too hard. Then the Freese hit killed me tonight. I missed my spot bad, he made me pay. He's a good hitter, he's had some success against me and always been a tough out. I've got to get the guy ahead of him out. That's pretty much the name of the game tonight."Below are more links to check out:
The next homestand starts on Friday against the Atlanta Braves, and
several former Dodgers are scheduled for an autograph session with
fans on Sunday.
Below are
the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends
for this upcoming homestand.
The Atlanta Dog will be available for this homestand only against the
Braves at the Extreme
Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve
levels. It features an all-beef hot dog topped with fried green tomatoes and spicy peach relish. 
Labels:
Al Ferrara,
Braves,
Don Sutton,
Extreme Loaded Dog,
homestand Info,
Kenley Jansen,
Soccer,
Tim Leary
"That's as dominant as I've seen him," manager Dave Roberts said. "As prepared and as much conviction as he has every fifth day, knowing what we were going through as a team, you talk about great players putting their team on their backs. That's what he did today. He won't say that, but that's exactly what happened."Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:
"You'd be lying if you said you didn't want to be the guy who ended the streak, so that definitely feels good," Kershaw said. "We needed a win, there's no doubt about it, and it wasn't pretty today."Clayton chats about his evening on the mound with Allana Rizzo here. As for the team, they couldn't have been more elated at the days outcome. In fact, they held an impromptu dance party in the clubhouse to celebrate; as evidenced by numerous videos shared on social media (here, here, here and here).
The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired left-handed pitcher Alex Wood, right-handed reliever Jim Johnson, left-handed reliever Luis Avilan, minor league infielder Jose Peraza, right-handed pitcher Bronson Arroyo and cash considerations from Atlanta in exchange for infielder Hector Olivera, left-handed reliever Paco Rodriguez and minor league right-handed pitcher Zach Bird.
Wood, 24, has gone 21-20 with a 3.10 ERA in 86 games (55 starts) in three big league seasons with the Braves, including a 7-6 mark with a 3.54 ERA in 20 starts this year. Since making his big league debut in 2013, Wood ranks among the NL leaders (min. 350.0 IP) in ERA (9th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.12, 15th), while posting a 47.7 groundball percentage and forcing an average of 1.03 groundball double plays per 9.0 innings (4th). The North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Georgia and quickly ascended to the Majors, while posting a 9-5 record with a 1.68 ERA in 26 minor league starts over three seasons.Below are Woods's career stats, via Baseball-Reference:
Johnson, 32, has gone 2-3 with nine saves and a 2.25 ERA in 49 games with Atlanta this year in his 10th big league season. The 2012 All-Star and Rolaids Relief Man Award winner has a 25-31 career record with 133 saves and a 3.45 ERA with the Orioles (2006-13), Athletics (2014), Tigers (2014) and Braves (2015). He was one of the American League’s top closers in 2012-13, topping the American League in saves in consecutive seasons and posting back-to-back 50-save seasons with the Orioles. He was originally selected by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft out of Union-Endicott (NY) High School.Below are Johnson's career stats, via Baseball-Reference:
Avilan, 26, has a 12-5 record with a 2.77 ERA in 218 career games in four big league seasons with Atlanta from 2012-15, limiting opponents to a .225 batting average and posting a 1.16 WHIP. He has appeared in a team-high 50 games this year, going 2-4 with a 3.58 ERA, while limiting opponents to a .245 average. Avilan was signed by the Braves as a free agent in 2005 out of Venezuela.Below are Avilan's career stats, via Baseball-Reference:
Peraza excels in the speed and contact departments, but provides very little when it comes hitting for power and drawing walks.From the Dodger press release:
Peraza, 21, has a .303 career batting average with 203 steals, eight home runs and 178 RBI in 439 games over seven seasons in the Braves’ minor league system, including a .294 mark with 26 stolen bases, three homers and 37 RBI in 96 games this year with Triple-A Gwinnett. Entering the 2015 season, he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 54 overall prospect in baseball after earning selections as a MiLB.com Atlanta organization All-Star in 2013-14 and to the MLB All-Star Futures Game in 2014, when he ranked third among all minor leaguers with 60 steals. He was originally signed by the Braves in 2010 as a free agent out of Venezuela.Below are Peraza's career stats, via Baseball-Reference:
Arroyo, 38, last pitched on June 15, 2014 before undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 15, 2014. The 2006 All-Star has gone 145-131 with a 4.19 ERA in 405 games (369 starts) in 15 Major League seasons with the Pirates (2000-02), Red Sox (2003-05), Reds (2006-13) and D-backs (2014).Below are Arroyo's career stats, via Baseball-Reference:
The Dodgers are in discussions with the Braves about a deal that would send third baseman Juan Uribe to Atlanta and deliver Alberto Callaspo to Los Angeles, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). Other, “lesser names” would also be included in a deal, per the report.The idea of Uribe being sent off to Atlanta is a little hard to stomach since he's been such a great team player for the Dodgers. He had a rough go of it his first couple of years in Los Angeles, but continued to carry-on with a smile on his face and a hop in his step. He never pouted or complained. Instead, he cheered on and contributed when he could. Eventually his skill shined through, and he became an integral part of the team the past two years.
Unfortunately, the club is looking to inject some younger blood, and that leaves Uribe out on a lurch. They recently signed Hector Olivera out of Cuba to eventually man the hot-corner, and there are plenty of options on the bench and in the minors ready to stake their claim in the club. The season is still young and Bolsinger’s starting role with the Dodgers’ rotation is even younger. But we’re beginning to get a sense for why this 27-year-old castaway Diamondbacks prospect has succeeded so far this season: A fairly dramatic change to his arsenal, command of his cut-fastball and the element of surprise that comes along with his curveball — all things that have enabled him to induce weaker contact, fewer balls in play falling for hits and an improved strikeout-to-walk ratio.
"There's satisfaction in that we're in first place and we're playing good ball," said Ethier, who had a bases-loaded walk and has six homers after only four all of last year. "I've had a little bit of a hand in contributing to that, that's where I get my satisfaction. Just get to be in the mix and help out with what we're doing."
It appears as though much of Kershaw's problems stem from poor location, something that a pitcher as talented as he is, with stuff as good as his, should be able to overcome.
Monday's game starts at 5:10 PM. Auto gates open at 2:40 PM, and
stadium gates open at 3:10 PM. The first 40,000 fans will receive an Tommy Lasorda Garden Gnome. See it
on the left.
Monday is Memorial Day and the Dodgers, along with all of MLB, will again participate in the National Moment of Remembrance during Memorial Day Weekend. The Dodgers will wear specially-designed caps and jerseys Monday. All of MLB’s net proceeds from the sale of these caps and jerseys will be donated to the Welcome Back Veterans program, which provides grants to university hospitals throughout the country to treat veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury. 
Dodger alumnus Al Downing will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM..jpg)
Dodger alumnus Tim Leary will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM. Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and
stadium gates open at 5:10 PM. The first 40,000 fans will receive an Dodgers coaster set. See it
on the left.
Saxophonist Michael Lington will perform the national anthem. Los Angeles Chief of Police Charlie Beck and L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell will throw the ceremonial first pitch and will join the Dodgers in announcing the re-launch of a fan-favorite program where officers will distribute Dodger baseball cards to children and families while on patrol. In 2015, the program returns with the addition of L.A. County Sheriffs. In total, nearly 10,000 LAPD officers and 10,000 sheriff’s deputies will carry Dodgers baseball cards with them while on patrol this season.
TMZ Sports has learned ... Hanley dropped around $550k for a white 2014 Lamborghini Aventador -- but wanted to make it stand out ... so he went to The Auto Firm in Miami and upgraded the exhaust to one that spits flames.
(pic via Hanley in instagram)
My attachment to the Kansas City Royals doesn't come from living in the Midwest or because their colors are similar to the Dodgers or because I want the Giants to lose when the World Series starts. It's not even because I remember the Royals' victory in the '85 Series. No, my attachment began in 1976 when the Royals took on the Yankees and were demoralized by Chris Chambliss' home run off of Mark Littell.
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| (cover via @BenBadler on twitter) |
Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM. Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and
stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. This might be the coolest thing ever. The first 40,000 fans will receive a Vin Scully 65th Anniversary Talking Microphone. When you push a button you hear Vin Scully say, "It's time for Dodger Baseball." Watch it here. See it on the right.
Thursday's game starts at 7:10 PM. Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and
stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. It is another Dodger bobblehead day. The first 50,000 fans will receive 30HR Club Bobblehead (Baker, Cey, Garvey, Smith). See the bobblehead on the right.
