2018 Topps Now - #404 - Matt Kemp's Five-Hit Game

The newest Dodgers' 2018 Topps Now card focuses on the man, the myth, the legend, Matt Kemp. He helped spark a Dodgers offense that banged out 21 hits -- five of them Matt's -- and scored 17 runs to defeat Pittsburgh last night. Overall, he recorded three singles, a double and a three-run home run. Per Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"Staying in the big part of the field, driving in runs, swinging at strikes, staying off balls -- it was a clinic tonight," Roberts said. "Everyone sort of fed off what he did at the plate. Up and down the lineup, very impressive, but obviously, the centerpiece was Matt." 

Said Kemp of his performance: "Felt good. Take that into tomorrow and we'll try again."

Blog Kiosk: 7/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

This team astounds.

Per Alden Gonzalez at ESPN:

"As is always the case, when you're winning games, everything is manageable. Everything is a lot better," Friedman said. "When you're not, everything's a lot worse. So right now, we're managing pretty well, just based on the fact that we're playing well. And we're getting contributions from basically the entirety of our roster as we are adding guys back from the [disabled list], which I feel like bodes well for us if we look ahead. But to get to this point has certainly been an interesting path."

We've experienced both heartache and jubilant celebration this season, and we're not even at the All-Star break yet. Fans that were once despondent -- ready to throw in the towel due to a perceived lost season -- are now reaping the rewards that only patience can provide... And what rewards they are.

Last night fans witnessed All-Star bound Matt Kemp go 5-for-5 to drive the Dodgers past the Pirates in a lopsided victory, 17-1. Per Kaelen Jones at MLB.com:

"[Kemp's] been a big part of our lineup in the middle of it," said Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner. "He knows how to drive in runs and that's what you've been seeing the last couple of nights. He's an RBI machine."

Never in my wildest dream did I ever think that Kemp would return to the Kemp-of-old. Photo above of Matt Kemp via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1925 Robins (Dodgers) second baseman Milt Stock recorded his fourth consecutive four-hit game -- setting an NL mark. In 1958 the Dodgers, in their 35th home game ever in Los Angeles, reached the one million attendance mark. At Ebbets Field they drew 1,028,258 fans total all season the year prior. In 1974 Dodgers reliever Dr. Mike Marshall appeared in his 13th consecutive game, setting a major league record. The streak also ended on this day when he didn't make an appearance during the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds. In 1991 the Dodgers traded José González for outfielder Mitch Webster. In 1993 Don Drysdale died of a heart attack in Montreal after broadcasting the Dodgers’ game against the Expos. In 2013 Yasiel Puig becomes the first player to be named Player of the Month for the first month he plays in the major leagues in the 55-year history of the award. 
• Happy Birthday, Cliff Curtis, Jack Dalton, Luke Hamlin, Art Fowler, Howie Schultz, Ed Roebuck, Danny Heep, Juan Rivera & Edinson Volquez!

Welcome to the Blue, Diego Cartaya!

The Dodgers just made a splash on the first day of MLB's international signing period by inking 16-year old catcher and Venezuelan native Diego Cartaya. He is right-handed, stands 6'1" tall, is about 200 lbs. and is considered by many to be the best player available. Per a report by Jesse Sanchexz at MLB.com, during a prospect showcase event in Columbia in January:

(The) teenager showed off his strong arm and good footwork during the workout. The right-handed hitter focused on driving the ball to center field and the opposite field instead trying to hit home runs during batting practice, which earned him praise from evaluators watching from the bleachers. Scouts like Cartaya's makeup, defense, hit tool and power potential.

2018 Topps Stadium Club - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Here's a look at all the Dodgers' inserts found in packs of Topps Stadium Club. I should have pics of all the Base Variations soon.

Base Autographs

#SCA-ABA Austin Barnes       #SCA-AW Alex Wood

Blog Kiosk: 7/2/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Holy Moly!

Photo above via MLB on Instagram. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2015 the Blue Jays traded Chase De Jong and Tim Locastro to the Dodgers for two international bonus slots.
• Happy Birthday, Gil English & Caleb Ferguson!

Pirates Series Starts on Monday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

• 2018 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

In celebration of Independence Day all teams throughout the league will be wearing special commemorative caps and jersey's starting today to the Fourth of July. Furthermore, matching socks are also available for ballplayers to wear (you can see these at the very bottom of this post). Check out the Dodgers' commemorative uniforms above and below.

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Monday, July 2nd at 7:10 PM

Alex Wood vs Nick Kingham

TV: MLBN (out-of-market only), SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020