2017 Topps Now -- #342 -- Kershaw's Masterful 13-K Complete Game

Clayton Kershaw's herculean effort on Sunday to win his 14th and record his first complete game of the year is the subject of one of todays 2017 Topps Now cards. As you know, the Dodgers ended the first-half of the regular season by winning their 61st -- tops is the majors. What you may not have known is that Kershaw's Sunday outing was the first time in Baseball history that a starting pitcher struck out 13 batters in a complete game in under 100 pitches. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"He was Claytonesque," said manager Dave Roberts, noting that Kershaw has "synched" up the loose ends in his last four starts (two earned runs in 29 innings).

2017 Topps Now -- #HRD-3 -- Cody Bellinger Home Run Derby Card

Over the weekend Topps issued a group of 2017 Topps Now cards to highlight all eight of the participants in tonight's Home Run Derby event. Featured here is Cody Bellinger's card. It is already sold out and sold 2,0222 copies -- second most behind 4,039 copies sold for the Aaron Judge card. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"I've thought about it some nights, just let it soak in and realize it's actually happening, and it's hard to believe," Bellinger said. "like I've said before, I couldn't imagine doing this in my dreams. It's going to be awesome."

Blog Kiosk: 7/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here are five of the six Dodger All-Stars with their All-Star uniforms representing the team in Miami.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers. Go here to check out more pics by Jon and Juan Ocampo from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1953 the Dodgers collectively hit their 24th consecutive home run in-a-row. This homer was hit by Roy Campanella against Giants pitcher Sal "The Barber" Maglie. Unfortunately, that would be the only run Brooklyn scores. They lose 6-1.
• Happy Birthday, Larry Burright & Bob Bailor!

Congrats, Alex Wood! You're an All-Star!

And now there are six!

One of the more glaring omissions from the upcoming All-Start Game in Miami has been the exclusion of Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood. He has arguably been one of the top starters in the league -- having recorded an 10-0 record this season with an 1.67 ERA, 2.04 FIP and 2.9 WAR. So, this morning's news that he is now on the team was certainly welcome. Per a Dodgers press release:

Wood, in his fifth Major League season, is also a first-time All-Star. The 26-year-old left-hander becomes the sixth Dodger All-Star selection, marking the most in the NL.  He joins Cody Bellinger, Kenley Jansen, Kershaw, Corey Seager and Justin Turner as an NL All-Star.  On Wednesday, Wood improved to 10-0 on the season with a 1.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 80.2 innings pitched.  With a win in each of his 10 decisions this season, Wood tied the Dodgers record for consecutive wins to start a season, joining Larry French (1942), Preacher Roe (1951), Don Newcombe (1955) and Ed Roebuck (1962).

His inclusion came at the expense of Clayton Kershaw's inability to throw during the game. Clayton is scheduled to pitch on Sunday, so he would be unable to pitch on Tuesday for the All-Star Game.

In celebration of Wood's good fortune I made the above two fantasy Baseball cards of him. Both cards use photos taken by either Jon SooHoo or Juan Ocampo from Wednesday's game. The card on the left uses a 1952 Topps design, and the card on the right uses the 1981 Fleer design.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

2017 Bowman Platinum - The Dodgers Base Cards

A couple days ago a Walmart exclusive Topps brand hit store shelves. It is called 2017 Bowman Platinum and this is the second year of its release. Go here for a complete checklist.

Notably, this card set is being marketed as having the first pack-pulled Cody Bellinger rookie cards. Of course, we all know that's not entirely true. He's had cards stuffed into a handful of Topps products the past two years; including the 2016 version of Bowman Platinum. It's just that this time Bellinger can be found in the "Base" portion of the set instead of the prospect part of the brand.

Below are the five Dodger players found in the "Base" set. Next week I hope to have pics of most of the Dodger inserts. So, stay tuned for that.

Base

#50 Corey Seager                    #52 Julio Urias

2017 Topps Now -- #332 -- Chris Taylor's Walk-Off Hit Caps Four-Run 9th for Comeback Win

Why am I not surprised to find both Justin Turner and Kiké Hernandez exuberantly celebrating with Chris Taylor, hero of last nights walk-off victory, in the 2017 Topps Now card featured in this post? They've both been significant catalyst this season -- not only with their bats, but also their leadership. So, showing them doing what they do best -- rooting on their teammates -- is a nice surprise on this card.

As you can see, Kiké is covering Chris with what looks like rosin and Justin is in the midst of flipping Taylor in some sort-of choreographed wrestling move. Fortunately, reports indicate that nobody was hurt.