Tonight's game…

Lots of preparation going on today for tomorrow’s news conference regarding the World Baseball Classic. There’s some pretty cool stuff on tap and if you have a TV in your office (or if you’re not quite of the working age yet), tune in live at 1:30 p.m. PT on MLB.com or FSN Prime Ticket (if you’re in LA) to watch the goings on.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

Kemp, RF (16-game hitting streak is longest since Nomar hit in 22 straight in ’06)

Blake, 3B (.357-.400-.571 since coming to LA)

Martin, C (back in after a day off)

Kent, 2B

Loney, 1B

Jones, CF

Ethier, LF (his Before the Bigs Premieres tomorrow night on Prime Ticket after the game)

Berroa, SS

Billingsley, P

The man can talk…

Delwyn Young, one of the most talkative and funniest guys on the team, will be chatting with all of you today at 2 p.m. PT. As some of you know, during the last web chat with Matt Kemp, DY was in the room and cracking jokes the whole time, so someone asked if he would chat the next time around…voila. Check in with him later today here.

They Might Be Giants…

It’s always interesting when the neighbors from the north come to town, even if they’re not having a great season. Anything can happen and often, something does that none of us expect.

No update on Nomar yet, but he’s not in the lineup today. Stay tuned for more info on that front.

I printed out all of your messages from Russell Martin and hope to bring them downstairs today. Will let you all know once they’ve officially been delivered.

Here’s the lineup for today:

Pierre, LF

Kemp, CF

Martin, C

Kent, 2B

Loney, 1B

Blake, 3B

Ethier, RF

Berroa, SS

Kuroda, P

At long last…

This is an incredible day for the Dodger organization, as Walter O’Malley is finally being inducted into Cooperstown.

Some fantastic articles about Walter came out, including MLB.com’s coverage, Steve Dilbeck’s article and Bill Plaschke’s feature.  

The induction ceremony is going on live now, so check it out.

As for the lineup, plenty of debate the last few days over how to set up the outfield and obviously a lot of support from the comments here about Andre Ethier. He’s back in the lineup today and for those who missed it, he updated his Dining with Dre blog.  

Here’s the lineup:

Pierre, LF

Kemp, CF

Martin, C

Kent, 2B

Loney, 1B

Nomar, SS

Blake, 3B

Ethier, RF

Kershaw, P

Deadline dealing…

It’s official…Casey Blake is en route to Los Angeles, hopefully in time for tonight’s game. We acquired him early this morning for two minor leaguers…Jonathan Meloan, who pitched in five games for us last year and Carlos Santana, a Single-A catcher who is having a very nice year for Inland Empire.

The move obviously helps the big league club immediately without having to trade anyone from the team, which is pretty much every contender’s goal around this time of the year. Blake’s offensive numbers are .289-11-58 with a .365 on-base percentage and .465 slugging percentage, most of which would pretty much be leading our current team.

If he can get to Los Angeles in time for tonight’s game (he’s currently in the air so the chances are pretty good), we’ll obviously have a corresponding move but I don’t know what it is (nor could I really say even if I did, as it’s always important to let the player know before the rest of the world, right?)

Will post more later today.

Tonight's game

Juan Pierre is off the DL and back in the starting lineup. Delwyn Young heads to the disabled list with an oblique strain.

It’s also the first night of the Dodgers Trolley, so I’m headed off to Union Station shortly, as is the Mayor and three of our key city councilmembers.

Here’s the lineup for tonight:

Pierre, LF

Kemp, RF

Martin, C

Kent, 2B

Nomar, SS

Loney, 1B

Jones, CF

LaRoche, 3B

Billingsley, P

Want to meet the Dodgers?

 

Dodgers-Trolley.jpgBefore I get into all of the upcoming player appeareances, hopefully you all have heard that the City of Los Angeles is restoring transportation from Union Station to Dodger Stadium before and after the remaining home games this season. The Dodgers Trolley kicks off tomorrow night and should be a great way to help fans save time spent in traffic, money spent on gas, parking, etc. I hope that those of you in LA will take the chance to ride it and give us your feedback. All information you’ll need is at this link.

Meanwhile, talk about a golden opportunity to meet your favorite Dodgers…tons of autograph opportunities coming up in the next week or so, including three different ones on Saturday. Sunday’s game is autograph day for kids, with various players at the turnstiles from 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon. If you can’t make it to Dodger Stadium (or you’re not a kid), they’re coming your way…

Tomorrow, July 25 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Blake DeWitt at:

Staples Los Angeles

11341 National Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

(310) 445-4041

 

Saturday, July 26 – 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Chad Billingsley at:

AT&T Los Angeles

3764 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 388-9444

 

Saturday, July 26 – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Corey Wade at:

Wal-Mart Santa Clarita

25450 Old Road

Valencia, CA 91381

(661) 253-1911

 

Saturday, July 26 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Jeff Kent at:

MACY’s Northridge – Men’s Department

9301 Tampa Ave # 2500

Northridge, CA 91324

(818) 885-6611

 

Saturday, August 2 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Andre Ethier at:

AT&T

3851 Overland Ave

Culver City, CA 90232

(310) 559-2019

The 10-game  homestand kicks off tomorrow with tons and tons of stuff going on at the stadium, starting with Brad Penny’s bobblehead. As Vin says, “hope you’ll make plans to be a part of it.”