Blog Kiosk: 10/10/2017 - Dodgers Links - Sweeeep!

(Pic via @Dodgers on twitter)

That was as dominating a series win as I've ever seen. They excelled at nearly ever aspect of the game. The offense returned to its former glory - after taking a month off in September. The relief staff not only proved that they are the best in the game, but they showed they can get better -- thanks in large part to Kenta Maeda's transformation into a righty specialist. Lastly, with the addition of Yu Darvish the Dodgers have all the makings of an starting staff that is too good to falter. Last night he yielded just two hits, one of which was a solo homer, over five innings of work -- striking out seven and walking none. Per Bradford Doolittle at ESPN:

"Yu really stepped up huge for us," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "He was in command and control from the first pitch, working to both sides of the plate.

"It was just fun to watch him have his nerves calm and just compete. He was out there having fun."

Now it's time to prepare for the next one, and frankly I don't care who it is. They got this.

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

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1961 the Mets drafted Dodgers legend Gil Hodges off the Dodgers as a part of the expansion draft. In 1978 the Dodgers retired the number of Dodger player/coach Jim Gilliam -- 19.  He had died just two days prior from an cerebral hemorrhage.  The ceremony preceded Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees.
• Happy Birthday, Ad Gumbert, Fay Thomas, Rich During, Harry Eisenstat, Lee Pfund & Ramon Martinez!
• Video: Hear from Dave Roberts after the Dodgers sweep the Diamondbacks and advance to the NLCS for the 2nd straight season. (video link)
• Video: Clayton Kershaw talks about Yu Darvish’s performance and his thoughts as the Dodgers advance to the NLCS. (video link)
• Video: Justin Turner talks to Alanna Rizzo about how effective was the team in the 3-game sweep against the D-Backs. (video link)
• Video: Alanna Rizzo caught up with Kenley Jansen after Dodgers' 3-1 win over the D'Backs on Monday. (video link)
• Video: Cody Bellinger speaks after becoming the youngest Dodger to hit a home run in a post-season game. (video link)
• Per Dave Cameron at FanGraphs; "The Dodgers Are Frightening Again."

With these three victories, the Dodgers have now won nine of their last 10 — or 11 of their last 13, if that sounds more impressive to you. For the last two weeks, the Dodgers have again looked like the juggernaut that was in pursuit of the all-time win record at one point. And thanks to a few key changes, they look like a very scary NLCS or potential World Series opponent.

• So, someone made a change to Cody Bellinger's Wikipedia page, via redditor u/BigBallerBaron. See it on the right. Click pic to embiggen.
• Cody Bellinger is the Dodgers rep for the 2017 Hank Aaron Award -- given to the most outstanding offensive performance in each league. Check out the entire list of folks in the running here, via Mark Newman at MLB.com.
• Per Scott Miller at BleacherReport; "Justin Turner Has Completed His Rise from MLB Castoff to Heart of the Dodgers."

"He's a guy who's always been a leader in his own right, but the road he's endured, to stabilize himself as a major league player and as an All-Star, to see that unfold..." manager Dave Roberts says. "I empower him a lot in our clubhouse because he believes in what I believe in. He's all about team first. Certain guys just command the respect of their teammates, and J.T.'s at the top of the list."

People listen to him, a quality that has lifted him into a sort of unofficial co-captaincy role along with well-decorated veteran Chase Utley. When All-Star closer Kenley Jansen briefly wobbled last summer, it was Turner who quietly approached him in a back room and said, Look, I know blowing a save sucks. I know you're pissed. But you are going to get 'em tomorrow; you've got to deal with it. Now go talk to the media and move on.

• Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Roberts' winery unscathed amidst wildfire."

"I tried to reach out to our winemaker and he said everything was fine," said Roberts. "But I've heard one of my best friends lost his house in Santa Rosa. It's really bad. I didn't realize there were 50-mph winds. Ten deaths. Horrible."

• Here's nice little article from Bert Lehman at Sports Collectors Digest about Exhibit Supply Company and their cards (link here).
• Fools! Via Joshua Thornton on twitter:

The D-backs made sure the #Dodgers didn't jump into the pool at Chase Field. pic.twitter.com/HVAfL1KsCj

— Joshua Thornton (@JoshuaThornton_) October 10, 2017

And look! The horsey's took a crappy.

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