First Two Games of NL Division Series is Set

This coming Thursday will be the start of the National Division Series match-up between the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.  Below is a rundown on the days this series will happen:

• Game 1: Thursday, October 3rd
• Game 2: Friday, October 4th
• Game 3: Sunday, October 6th
• Game 4: Monday, October 7th (if necessary)
• Game 5: Wednesday, October 9th (if necessary)

Well, up until a moment ago we did know the time the first two games would get underway. 

Now we know.  Per a MLB press release:

In the evening, the N.L. East Champion Atlanta Braves will host the N.L. West-winning Los Angeles Dodgers with an 8:37 p.m. (ET) first pitch in Game 1 of the NLDS at Turner Field. Both of Thursday's games will be exclusively televised by TBS.

and

Game 2 of the Dodgers-Braves NLDS will start at 6:07 p.m. (ET).

So, Thursday's Game 1 will be at 5:37 PM PST and Friday's Game 2 will be at 3:07 PM PST.  Also, these games will air on TBS.  It appears that if you have cable you should be able to watch it live while online.  Go here to sign in through your provider.

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An Off Day Video Interview with Shawn Green

Since we've got several days til the start of the playoffs for the Dodgers, I figured I'd fill this downtime with a fun little video interview with former Dodger Shawn Green.

Eddie Mata, a former MLB Fan Cave participant a year ago, got a hold of the slugging left-hander and was able to speak with him about his playing days with the Dodgers.  This interview is a part of Mata's "Where Are They Now" series, and I suggest checking them all out.  In the 3 weeks since he's opened the channel, Mata has already interviewed Paul LoDuca and Adam Kennedy.  He will also have an interview with former CY Young and Rookie of the Year winner Doc Gooden soon.

Now, watch his interview with Shawn Green below.

Video Link:

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2013 Panini Prizm Baseball - All the Dodgers Cards

A couple of weeks ago Panini released their 2013 Prizm Baseball set.  Below are all of the Dodgers' cards that are available.  Also, to my surprise, there is a Mike Piazza autographed card as a Dodger.

#3 Clayton Kershaw                                #36 Andre Ethier

#42 Matt Kemp                                    #47 Hanley Ramirez

#94 Carl Crawford                               #99 Adrian Gonzalez

#135 Zack Greinke                            #202 Hyun-Jin Ryu

#260 Yasiel Puig                               #264 Paco Rodriguez

#287 Matt Magill

Rookie Challengers

#1 Yasiel Puig                                  #18 Hyun-Jin Ryu

SuperStar Spotlight

#8 Clayton Kershaw                                 #10 Matt Kemp

Band of Brothers Inserts 

#3 Adrian Gonzalez - Andre Ethier - Matt Kemp

Autograph Cards

#10 Shawn Tolleson                                #43 Paco Rodriguez

#66 Mike Piazza                                  #68 Carl Crawford

#75 Andre Ethier

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Calling for Help - Father of Jonathan Denver Pleading For Witnesses

Robert Preece, father of Jonathan Denver who was stabbed to death after a ballgame in San Francisco, spoke to the media this morning.  He is seeking witnesses to this horrific event.

Per Paul Elias at AP, emphasis is mine:

"Losing a child is a heartache no parent should have to endure," Preece said in his plea for witnesses to the fight. Montgomery was released from jail on Friday after the district attorney said police have not yet collected enough evidence to warrant criminal charges. Montgomery's father has told other media outlets that his son says Denver hit him over the head with a chair and he stabbed him in self-defense.

Preece, who is a Los Angeles Dodgers security guard, was with his son when the fight broke out. Preece said Sunday that he saw bystanders with mobile devices and believes they were recording the incident.

"The Montgomery family is likely suffering as well," Preece said. "I am making a plea to the public asking that anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forth so that both families can have some measure of closure. I believe that someone may have videotaped the incident so we can discover the truth."

It seems likely that in tech-friendly San Francisco someone (if not multiple folks) would have recorded the argument, fight and stabbing on their phones. 

If you have any familiarity with this occurrence then please contact the local authorities.  If anything, it may provide some closure to both families.

Pic above via AP/Tony Avalar

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Blog Kiosk: 9/30/2013 - Dodgers Links - Ethier's Ailing, Wilson Get's His Ring and No to Cano

The National League Champions are finally home, pic via Dodgers tumblr.  Featured are Jerry Hairston Jr. and Kenley Jansen.  Check out a bunch of photos from Sunday from Jon SooHoo, here.

• Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Dodgers Blogger Night on Friday since I went to the Kings Frozen Fury this past weekend.  Thankfully, several other bloggers were there.  Check out their stories below.

*Sarah Wexler at "We're born again, there's new grass on the field".
*Craig Minami at "True Blue LA".
*Ross Gasmer at "Dodger Nation".

*Stacie Wheeler at "Lasorda's Lair".

• "Dodgers lose, learn they're Atlanta-bound," via Mark Saxon at ESPN.
• Andre Ethier may be down and out as well.

The Los Angeles #Dodgers ruled Matt Kemp out for the entire postseason, and Andre Ethier likely available only as pinch-hitter.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 30, 2013

• Orel at Sons of Steve Garvey shares a bunch of pics from yesterday afternoons game featuring Matt Kemp walking around on crutches.
• "Dodgers' Brian Wilson gets his Giants' World Series ring," via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times.

"I got my ring," Wilson said Friday at Dodger Stadium. "It's of no one's concern. It was handled.

"I'm not asking America to understand. I don't play games. I handled the situation. It's over with. It's squashed."

• "Ethier trying to get healthy in time for playoffs," via Austin Laymance at MLB.com.

"We're basically trying to get him as many at-bats as we can so he can get the timing part without the running part," Mattingly said before Friday night's game against the Rockies. "That's really the main reason for going there, to be able to get 10-15 at-bats a day."

• "Baseball's Doll Bobbles Leave Fans' Heads Spinning ," via Sarah Needleman and Daniel Barbarisi at the WSJ.

Bobblehead management has become something of an issue with popular teams. In April, the Dodgers issued a rule limiting the number of bobbleheads given away at games to one per ticket holder to deter hoarders—and to help ensure that the fans actually stick around for the action.

• Per a Dodgers press release, "Dodgers name Zach Lee and Scott Schebler as the Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year".
• Dodger Penguin snagged an autograph of team President Stan Kasten on a Baseball.
• I count this as good news.  "Dodgers not interested in Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano: source," via Mark Feinsand at the NY Daily News.

According to a high-ranking National League executive with knowledge of the situation, the Dodgers have no intention to bid on Cano this winter, leaving the second baseman without one of the sport’s richest teams in the sweepstakes for his services.

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