Welcome to the Blue, Chris Nunn!

I doubt there is another team more active than the Dodgers when it comes to pursuing seemingly unknown or over-the-hill ballplayers. Their willingness to take risk is the reason they've been able to find 'diamonds in the rough' -- like Chris Taylor, Max Muncy, Charlie Culberson and Brandon Morrow. So, this unheralded announcement discovered earlier today should come as no surprise. We have found out, through a tweet by the ballplayer himself, that the Dodgers have signed 28-year old lefty hurler Chris Nunn.

We can not control what opportunities come our way. Adversity is inevitable, and the story never goes as planned. However, today marks a day one of the most storied franchises in history. I am thankful and intend to honor this opportunity, Go @Dodgers

— chris nunn (@thenatural515) April 17, 2019

Nunn is a former 24th-round draft pick of the Padres in 2012 and a recent employ of the Independent St. Paul Saints of the American Association. He is also a ballplayer who was originally noticed due to the efforts of a 'Pitching Ninja' name Rob Friedman. BTW, you can follow Chris on twitter here: @thenatural515.

2019 Topps Utz - All the Dodger Cards

Following on the heals of Topps RBI Baseball cards and Upper Deck's Michael Jordan Hanes promotional cards comes another brand promo in products of Utz. So, what the heck is that?

Being a west coast denizen you wouldn't be faulted for having no idea. Utz is a regional chip brand found in grocery stores and convenience stores throughout the east coast, and now you can find Topps Baseball cards in packages.

There are 100 cards in the base set -- including three Dodger players -- and there doesn't appear to be any parallels or inserts found within packs. The cards use the Topps flagship design. Go here for a complete checklist.

Base 

#32 Clayton Kershaw

Blog Kiosk: 4/17/2019 - Dodgers Links - "That's Called a Winning Streak"

Winning is infectious.

Last night Kenta Maeda continued the parade by going a solid 6.2 innings to help the Dodgers win their third consecutive game (boxscore). Since Stripling's start on Sunday Dodger starters have given up just 13 hits in 21.2 innings -- yielding just four earned runs, four walks while striking out 14 batters. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“That’s what our guys are capable of,” Roberts said. “It’s one of those things where I think Ross started that and the momentum sort of builds from there and the next guy wants to do the same thing.”

Photo above Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Insider. Go here to check out more pics from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1934 Casey Stengel made his managerial debut as the Dodgers skipper as Brooklyn defeated the Boston Braves, 8-7. In 1947 Jackie Robinson recorded his first major league hit -- a bunt single down the third base line off of Boston Braves hurler Glenn Elliott. In 1955 Roberto Clemente, who started out as a Dodger prospect, singles off of Dodger pitcher Johnny Podres for his first major league hit. In 1956 future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale pitched in his very first game. He threw one inning of hitless relief in the ninth inning of a losing game. In 1994 the Dodgers belted 19 runs against the hapless Pirates to tie a club record for most runs in a game. In 2013 Clayton Kershaw struck out his 1,000th batter of his career -- the victim was Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso.
• Happy Birthday, Ad Yale, Jake Daubert, Stan Andrews, Marquis Grissom & Gary Bennett!

2019 Topps Now - #92 - Joc Pederson's Walk-Off and a Look at Puig's Card

What an electrifying evening Jackie Robinson Day turned out to be. Along with all of the 'pomp and circumstance' that goes with this Baseball holiday, we got to witness a thrilling ballgame.

First of all, our staff ace, Clayton Kershaw, got on the mound for the first time this season. Unfortunately, his presence was no match for the recently traded Yasiel Puig. He promptly hit a first inning homer to give his new club an early lead. Then, with the game tied up in the eighth inning, Matt Kemp -- the other piece traded this winter -- knocked in the go-ahead run for the Reds on a single off of Kenley Jansen. Lastly, Joc Pederson came up to bat in the ninth inning to slam a game-winning two-run walk-off home run to win the game in grand fashion. Wowzers!

2019 Panini Diamond Kings -- Dodgers' Inserts Part 1

Now that you've seen the Dodger base cards, here are some of the inserts you can find in packs. Featured below are many of the Diamond King signature and relic cards. Notably, this set includes a Vin Scully autographed card -- his first signed card available since 2016.

DK Signatures

#4 Caleb Ferguson            #15 Dennis Santana

Welcome to the Blue, Josh Sborz!

Over the weekend the Dodgers made a change to their bullpen -- no doubt worried that their six-game losing streak had taxed their relief corps. They called-up right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana to Oklahoma City on Sunday. Per a Dodger Press release:

Sborz, 25, was the 74th overall pick by the Dodgers in the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. The former Cavalier has been with the Dodger organization five seasons and this will his first Major League promotion after he was added to the 40-man roster on November 20, 2018. On the season, he has made two appearances for Oklahoma City, going 4.0 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts against one walk.