Dodger Roster for the 2017 World Series

(graphic via SportsNet LA on twitter)

At long last we have the Dodgers roster for the World Series, and it includes a small surprise. Both Kyle Farmer and Curtis Granderson are off the 2017 World Series roster. So, who will replace them?

As you know, Corey Seager is expected to be back on the field, so he will be one of the new faces in the Dodger dugout. The other player will likely come as a surprise. Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has pitched only six inning since late-July, will join the Dodgers as a reliever. Per JP Hoornstra at the OC Register:

The 6-foot-7 right-hander has been restricted to simulated games and bullpen sessions since the regular season ended, but could become a useful multi-inning option in a best-of-seven series. 

McCarthy, 34, went 6-4 with a 3.98 earned-run average during the regular season. He began the year in the Dodgers’ rotation and posted a 3.84 ERA in 16 starts. But the veteran was never fully healthy, whether it was a right knee injury that caused him to miss a start in July, or a recurring finger blister that caused him to miss all of August and most of September.

2017 Topps Update Series - Dodgers Inserts: MVP, Postseason, World Series and Salute Cards

Take a look at even more Dodgers' inserts found in packs of 2017 Topps Update. Featured here are the MVP Award Winners, Commemorative Medallion, an Own the Name Relics checklist, Postseason Celebration, Stored World Series and Salute Dodgers' cards.

MVP Award Winners

#MVP-4 Clayton Kershaw          #MVP-6 Sandy Koufax

Blog Kiosk: 10/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - It's World Series Day!

Congrats!

On the eve of the 2017 World Series Sporting News announced that Cody Bellinger is the recipient of the Sporting News' 2017 Rookie of the Year award. As you may know, SN has been giving out this award since 1946. Per Jason Foster at the Sporting News:

Bellinger, 22, who didn't reach the majors until late April, wasn't even guaranteed a full-time job upon his call-up. At the time, the Dodgers were awaiting the return of injured players such as Joc Pederson, Franklin Gutierrez and Logan Forsythe, and manager Dave Roberts said Bellinger probably wouldn't be with the team for the long haul even if he performed well. 

 But sometimes you've just got to be so good that they can't ignore you.

Bellinger did indeed stick around for the long haul, quickly surged to the top of the National League's rookie class, made the All-Star team and ultimately left everyone else in a homer-filed wake. When the dust settled on Oct. 1, Bellinger led the Dodgers in home runs (39; a team rookie record), RBIs (97) and slugging percentage (.581; also a team rookie record). 

Graphic above via the Sporting News. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1963 Sandy Koufax is named the unanimous winner of the Cy Young. In 1972 Dodgers great and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson died of an heart attack at the age of 53 at his home in North Stamford, CT. In 1981 the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in Game 4 of the World Series, 8-7, to tie the series up at two games apiece.   In 1986 Dodgers shortstop Bill Russell announced his retirement from the game after an 18-year Major League career. 
• Happy Birthday, Charlie Jones, Eddie Stack, Harry Smythe, Ralph Onis, FP Santangelo, Wilton Guerrero & Rafael Furcal!

UPDATED! - World Series Series Starts on Tuesday - Food, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The World Series starts on Tuesday against the Houston Astros. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming best-of-seven playoff series. 

Please note that temperatures are expected to be 100 degrees come game time in Los Angeles, so be prepared.

Here are some important links:

• 2017 Broadcast Schedule
• Postseason Information

(WS Patch, pic via JP Hoornstra)

Pregame coverage can see seen on Facebook Live starting 90 minutes before each game with Dodger Insider, SportsNet LA’s Leadoff LA and Access SportsNet Dodgers. Postgame Access SportsNet Dodgers will also be streamed on Facebook Live, as will Dodgers Insider shows during workout days. 

Fox Sports will televise the World Series, and Joe Buck will be calling the play-by-play alongside analyst John Smoltz. They will also be joined by reporters Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci. 

The umpires for this World Series will be veteran John Hirschbeck (crew chief), Chris Guccione, Sam Holbrook, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo, Larry Vanover and "Cowboy" Joe West.

At the moment stadium and pregame information is still a bit sparse, so I will update this post when more information is released.

UPDATE: There has been a recent change regarding game start times. Now, Game 3 and all following games will start at  8:20pm (ET) [7:20pm (CT)/5:20pm (PT)]

2017 Topps Update Series - Dodgers Inserts: All-Rookie, Heroes, Untouchables and 1987

Now that you've seen the base cards, here are some of the Dodgers' inserts that can be found in packs of 2017 Topps Update. You will find the 1987 Topps throwback cards, a Dodgers' Cut Signature checklist, Heroes of Autumn, Topps All-Rookie Cup and Untouchables cards.

BTW, it appears that neither Cody Bellinger or Corey Seager have autograph cards inserted into packs. There are only redemptions available. Also, the Topps All-Rookie Cup cards are lame. They include a reprint of the Fernando Valenzuela's 1982 card, but fail to include a "Rookie Cup" logo. I understand the original card didn't have one either, but if you're going to include him this kind of set then you need to make the effort to actually have the "Cup" in there. Heck, having that card reprinted with the "Cup" would make it a very unique issue. Instead, Topps has failed us all.

1987 Topps Baseball - Rookies and Trades

#US87-34 Cody Bellinger         #US87-39 Corey Seager

2017 Topps Now - World Series Matchup Cards - Dodgers vs. Astros

Today, it has been announced that a ten-card 2017 Topps Now World Series Matchup card set is now available for order. As the name suggest, each card compares the starters for the main top ten positions, and it offers bonus cards should the person highlighted earn the World Series MVP, has a 3 homer game or throws a complete game. So, you can pick and choose which one you want (and maybe get some bonus cards), or you can purchase a full-ten card bundle for $59.99 (go here to order). BTW, each card can be purchased individually for $9.99, and is discounted heavily should you buy a larger lot of the cards.

From what I can tell, the player or position favored in the matchup appears on the front of the card. Only three positions do not have the Dodgers favored, with the shortstop position left blank for the Dodgers (due to Seager's uncertainty at the time of this announcement). Below is a look at all ten cards.

Starting Pitching:

This card pits Kershaw, Darvish, Wood and Hill versus Keuchel, Verlander, McCullers and Morton. Go here to check it out and order.