Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Dodger Roster for the 2017 World Series


(graphic via SportsNet LA on twitter)
At long last we have the Dodgers roster for the World Series, and it includes a small surprise. Both Kyle Farmer and Curtis Granderson are off the 2017 World Series roster. So, who will replace them?

As you know, Corey Seager is expected to be back on the field, so he will be one of the new faces in the Dodger dugout. The other player will likely come as a surprise. Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy, who has pitched only six inning since late-July, will join the Dodgers as a reliever. Per JP Hoornstra at the OC Register:
The 6-foot-7 right-hander has been restricted to simulated games and bullpen sessions since the regular season ended, but could become a useful multi-inning option in a best-of-seven series. 
McCarthy, 34, went 6-4 with a 3.98 earned-run average during the regular season. He began the year in the Dodgers’ rotation and posted a 3.84 ERA in 16 starts. But the veteran was never fully healthy, whether it was a right knee injury that caused him to miss a start in July, or a recurring finger blister that caused him to miss all of August and most of September.

2017 Topps Update Series - Dodgers Inserts: MVP, Postseason, World Series and Salute Cards

Take a look at even more Dodgers' inserts found in packs of 2017 Topps Update. Featured here are the MVP Award Winners, Commemorative Medallion, an Own the Name Relics checklist, Postseason Celebration, Stored World Series and Salute Dodgers' cards.

MVP Award Winners

#MVP-4 Clayton Kershaw          #MVP-6 Sandy Koufax

Blog Kiosk: 10/24/2017 - Dodgers Links - It's World Series Day!


Congrats!

On the eve of the 2017 World Series Sporting News announced that Cody Bellinger is the recipient of the Sporting News' 2017 Rookie of the Year award. As you may know, SN has been giving out this award since 1946. Per Jason Foster at the Sporting News:
Bellinger, 22, who didn't reach the majors until late April, wasn't even guaranteed a full-time job upon his call-up. At the time, the Dodgers were awaiting the return of injured players such as Joc Pederson, Franklin Gutierrez and Logan Forsythe, and manager Dave Roberts said Bellinger probably wouldn't be with the team for the long haul even if he performed well. 
 But sometimes you've just got to be so good that they can't ignore you.
Bellinger did indeed stick around for the long haul, quickly surged to the top of the National League's rookie class, made the All-Star team and ultimately left everyone else in a homer-filed wake. When the dust settled on Oct. 1, Bellinger led the Dodgers in home runs (39; a team rookie record), RBIs (97) and slugging percentage (.581; also a team rookie record). 
Graphic above via the Sporting News. Below are more links to check out: