Welcome to the Blue, John Axford!

We all knew the Dodgers were looking to add a reliever. We just didn't expect it to be John Axford. As you likely know by now, in addition to the trade deadline deal that brought us Brian Dozer earlier today, we are also adding right-handed reliever John Axford from Toronto. In exchange we sent the Blue Jays a right-handed prospect named Corey Cropping.

Welcome to the Blue, Brian Dozier!

Here's a deadline deal no one expected.

At long last the Dodgers have gotten the infielder many fans had wished for a couple of years back. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite have the stock value he had back then. Today, he's an under-performing player who has a track record that suggest he could turn things around. Announced this afternoon is a trade that sends our second baseman Logan "Logie Bear" Forsythe, minor leaguers Luke Raley and Devin Smeltzer to the Twins for second baseman Brian Dozier.

Blog Kiosk: 7/31/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Last night's power outage hit both the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I haven't seen that one," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the game. "They got it resolved quick enough. It was pretty weird."

As for the game, the Dodgers could only round up five hits to score only two -- losing to the Brewers 5-2. At least we fans got to witness Machado's first home run at Dodger Stadium. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider.

Machado gave the fans that stayed something to remember the night by with his ninth-inning homer, but that didn’t make him content in a 5–2 defeat. 

“I should’ve hit that a couple innings before,” Machado said. “I had runners in scoring position, got to tie the game up…we’re here to win games.”

The above pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1983 Dodger skipper Walter Alston is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1984 Baseball as an Olympic demonstration sport begins its Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium. In 2004 the Dodgers receive outfielder Steve Finley and backstop Brent Mayne from the Diamondbacks for Koyie Hill, Reggie Abercrombie and southpaw Bill Murphy. They also traded outfield speedster Dave Roberts to Boston for Henri Stanley. In 2006 the Dodgers traded shortstop César Izturis to the Cubs for future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux. In 2008 the Dodgers traded for Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox (including a three team trade with Pittsburgh) for Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris (who goes to the pirates). Pirates outfielder Jason Bay goes to Boston.
• Happy Birthday, Pembroke Finlayson & Vic Davalillo!

2018 Topps Now -- #514 -- Kershaw's Remarkable Friday

Clayton Kershaw may not have the bat of a Shohei Ohtani, but he sure did show off a batting prowess unparalleled in todays modern game.

This past Friday Clayton Kershaw took the mound against the Braves and proceeded to puzzle Braves bats to the tune of eight strikeout and zero walks. At the same time, Kershaw also punished the opposing team with his bat  -- knocking in two runs with a single in the fourth inning and recording three walks. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I was super late and got fortunate," said Kershaw. "Folty's throwing 100 mph, it seemed like. I just happened to stick my bat out there and got lucky. On the walks, it's not easy for relievers to face pitchers. They're not used to it."

Blog Kiosk: 7/30/2018 - Dodgers Links - Buy a #KCancer T-Shirt!

Over the weekend the Dodgers were witness to some lunacy. The hometown teams announcers complained about the Dodgers' pregame batting practice attire (see pic above via Sara Morton/MLB.com at Dodger Insider). Per Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

Joe Simpson: But if I were a Dodgers fan, I’d be embarrassed. And I don’t know how Major League Baseball allows such attire when the gates are open and the fans are watching. Chase Utley, I have nothing but respect for him, his whole career, thinking he’s a great player and I thought he always played the game the right way. That was an embarrassment what he had on today during practice.

So, he's angry that some of the players wore #KCancer t-shirts? Are you kidding me? BTW, you can purchase your own t's here. The sale of this t-shirt will benefit  San Juan Children’s Hospital and the Jason Motte Foundation. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2004 the Dodgers received Brad Penny, Hee Seop Choi and Bill Murphy from the Marlins for Paul Lo Duca, Guillermo Mota and Juan Encarnacion. In 2014 the Dodgers received infielder Darwin Barney from the Cubs for Jonathan Martinez and cash. In 2015 as part of a 3-team trade the Braves sent Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson, Jose Peraza and Alex Wood to the Dodgers; the Dodgers sent Zachary Bird, Hector Olivera and Paco Rodriguez to the Braves; the Dodgers also sent Victor Araujo, Jeff Brigham and Kevin Guzman to the Marlins; and the Marlins sent Mat Latos and Mike Morse to the Dodgers.
• Happy Birthday, Casey Stengel, Chuck Ward, Johnny Rizzo, Carl Doyle, Paul Minner & Ricky Horton!

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

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand; including autograph guest. Here are some important links:

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

-----------------------

Monday, July 30th at 7:10 PM
Kenta Maeda vs Freddy Peralta

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

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020