Friday, October 11, 2013

Check out the Dodgers NLCS Roster

The Dodgers officially announced their NLDS roster for their match-up against the Cardinals, and it includes a couple of changes.
(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Chris Capuano, used as a long-reliever for the Braves series, will not pitch against the Cardinals.  Considering how poorly he's done against them in his career this is probably for the best.  He has a lifetime ERA of 6.00 against them.  Below are his career stats against them.

Also out of the roster is lefty-reliever Paco Rodriguez.  As you know, he's struggled of late.  Over the last month of the regular season he has recorded an ERA of 5.68 and a batting average against of .308.  In the playoffs, he's given up 4 hits and 2 earned runs in less than an inning of play.  Leaving Paco of the roster effectively leaves us with just one lefty, JP Howell, in the bullpen.  So, this move has some risk.  On the other hand, maybe his 78 appearances this year has been too much of a grind on the 22 year old, and he needs some time off.

Coming onto the roser are right-handed relievers Carlos Marmol and Edinson Volquez.  Both players came to the Dodger late this season; Marmol via a trade with the Cubs for Guerrier and Volquez as a free agent after being dumped by the Padres.

Marmol has pitched surprisingly well during his approximate 3 months with the Dodgers; making 21 appearances with a 2.53 ERA.  He's even done well against the Cardinals in his career.  Check out his career stats against them below.

Edinson Volquez, on the other hand, has not pitched well this season.  In his 6 appearances (5 of which as a starter) in Blue he's given up 13 earned runs in 28 innings.  He likely replaces Capuano as our long-guy out of the 'pen. 

Tonight's game starts at 5:37 PM PST on TBS.  Zack Greinke will go against Joe Kelly. 

Be sure to get home to watch as early as you can.  Put up your shoes and pour a glass of your favorite drink.  Rest, relax and put your Blue on 'cause this game should be a fun one.


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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 10/11/2013 - Dodgers Links - the NLDS Edition


Dodger wives are ready for the playoffs.  The above pic was tweeted by @MsShredderPunto.  She wrote, "behind every great man is a supportive wife".
"They don't really give up any at-bats, so it's always a grind," Greinke said. "Even when they bring the young guys up, it's like they make adjustments faster than other teams. I talked to Skip [Schumaker] and McGwire about, 'How do they make adjustments so fast?'" 
"I want to figure out how I can contribute more," Ethier said. "I feel I can do well playing center field. It's definitely gotten better from last week at this point. I kept pounding on it and it didn't get worse. Everyone was happy yesterday and today. It responded well today and we have to see how it responds tomorrow."
Yes, Bandwagoners. They don’t know the game, but they claim they do. They couldn’t name ten guys on the roster. They’ll show up and wonder why Matt Kemp isn’t starting or they’ll rip the G.M. for letting Manny Ramirez go. 
  • In sports auction news, former auction house owner Bill Mastro plead guilty to charges related to shill bidding that fraudulently inflating prices and misrepresenting the value of memorabilia.  His plea included his admission that he trimmed the famous McNall/Gretzky T206 Honus Wagner card without disclosing that fact to Buyers.  See the Chicago Tribune story here.

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Make Your Plans Now! NLCS Schedule is Set


Be sure to mark your calenders because the schedule for the upcoming NLCS matchup against the Cardinals has just been announced.  It starts tomorrow for us, so I hope you're ready.
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 11 - LAD @ STL - 5:37 PM PST on TBS
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 12 - LAD @ STL - 1:07 PM PST on TBS
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 14 - STL @ LAD - 5:07 PM PST on TBS
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct 15 - STL @ LAD - 5:07 PM PST on TBS
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 16 - STL @ LAD - 1:07 PM PST on TBS
Game 6: Friday, Oct. 18 -  LAD @ STL - 5:37 PM PST on TBS
Game 7: Saturday, Oct 19 - LAD @ STL - 5:37 PM PST on TBS

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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2013 Panini Hometown Heroes - Most of the Dodgers Insert Cards

Following up on yesterdays post featuring the Dodgers' base cards in the 2013 Panini Hometown Heroes set, I now bring to you most of the Dodgers' insert cards within the set.  Check them out below.  Tomorrow, I'll have one last post featuring the awesome looking Sports Disc cards inserted into packs.  You don't want to miss those.  Click any pic to embiggen.

Rilvary Inserts

#15 Dusty Baker                 #17 Orel Hershiser

#19 Tommy John                #20 Don Sutton

Calling the Shots Insert

#1 Don Mattingly                                  #5 Tommy Lasorda

Curtain Call Insert

#5 Shawn Green                                    #10 Kirk Gibson

Below are the certified Dodger autographed cards in the set.  There is a Bill Buckner card (#48), but only a redemption is available in packs.

Hometown Autographs

#45 Steve Yeager                                #49 Davey Lopes

#78 Paul Lo Duca

Nickname Inserts

#9 Orel Hershiser                                #13 Fernando Valenzuela

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Dodgers NLDS Moments in One Great Video

With the next series coming fast, I was excited to come across this MLB video featuring key Dodger moments from the NLDS matchup against the Braves.  Watch it below.

After a layoff of just a few days that felt like a lifetime, I can now say that my excitement is greater than ever.  Once again, my fandom blood is boiling and my passion is running high. 

Bring on the Cardinals!

Video Link:

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RareInk Now has a Uribe NLDS Home Run Litho & Kershaw Autograph


Strike when the kettle is hot.

RareInk, maker of MLB art lithographs, now has Juan Uribe's game-winning NLDS home run in an artistic illustration available for sale.  Check it out above, and go here for information.

I think I'm more interested in the below Clayton Kershaw signed lithograph that is numbered to just 22 copies.  Anyone got a few hundred dollars you could loan me.  Go here for info.


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* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *