Game 89 Thread: July 7 vs. Mets, 7p

Want tonight's Andre Ethier throwback bobblehead for $5? Click here and buy a ticket before 6PM!

Clayton K. (8-4, 3.23) vs. Dillon G. (8-2, 3.47).

The intrepid Dodgers go for a season-high six-game losing streak tonight while also looking to hand the Mets a four-game sweep. But that will only happen if the bats can continue to not show up, as Kershaw figures to keep the Mets in check in his last start before the All-Star Game. The Mets are weakened without Jose Reyes, David Wright and Ike Davis, but despite that handicap, the Dodgers will push hard to come through with another loss.

Sax's note: SoSG Alex Cora and I will be at tonight's game, field level, third base side. As usual, leave a comment in the thread and ping us with an email if you want to grab a beer or four!

Game 86 Thread: July 4 vs. Mets, 6p

Jose Reyes may or may not play tonight due to a strained hammy. But he traveled with the team, so you can expect at least one energetic dugout shot.

Rubby De La Rosa (3-3, 4.41) vs. Chris Capuano (7-7, 4.27).

Ah, Mets Mets Mets. You started the season as a fellow doomed franchise, and now you hover at the .500 mark. Led back to respectability by the rejuvenated Jose Reyes — whom we've been suspicious of from the start, and who's single-handedly deflected the spotlight from the Wilpons to himself. Nicely played, Jose. Get in line behind Carl Crawford.

Today's the Fourth of July, so both teams will be wearing weird hats. And the Dodgers have planned a fireworks show for after the game, so all twenty of you who show up are in for a real treat.

And an roster update, from @kengurnick:

Dee Gordon was returned to Triple-A and Eugenio Velez was promoted to the Dodgers.

1: Al Bello/Getty Images; 2: @Dodgers

Joe Speaks

• Remember how Joe Torre said he would give Russell Martin more rest in 2009? We know how that turned out. Torre plans rest for Manny, Blake (Dodgers.com)
• Jon Weisman's replacement? Steve Dilbeck, with help from several Times writers. Dodgers Blog (LA Times)
• He was one of SoSG's first objects of ire! Reyes running full speed, feels great (ESPN.com)
• Here, have another nice cup of perspective. Friends, family and faith help ex-pitcher Stone fight cancer (SI.com)

photo from Inside the Dodgers

Pocket Talk

From a CBSSportsLine article about the first Manny Ramirez bobblehead night:

Ramirez toted the giveaway around to show some of his teammates. His only complaint? That the lining of the doll's left back pocket wasn't turned inside out like Ramirez wears it.

When did inside-out back pockets become all the rage? The above photo of the Red Sox is from 2007, so it was cool then (but not that cool, since Manny hadn't started it yet).

Inside-out pockets, jaunty caps, flat brims, knee socks...it's amusing to see how baseball players try to find individuality in their uniforms. I guess sometimes a number isn't enough.

Red Sox photo from Center Field

Jose Reyes to Go from Really Annoying to Merely Annoying?

From ESPN.com's Spring Training Blog:

REYES TO TONE DOWN ACT? (8:52 a.m. ET)

Are the Mets about to see a more mature Jose Reyes this season? The electrifying shortstop told reporters Tuesday that he plans to tone down his celebrations this season.

"No more handshakes. People kept saying we got teams fired up when we did those handshakes, so now I want to focus more on baseball," Reyes said, according to Newsday.

The Marlins reportedly took offense to the Mets' excessive celebrations in the final weekend series last year, helping to motivate them to knock New York out of the playoff chase.

"Nobody said anything to me, but it's because of what happened last year," Reyes said, according to Newsday. "That's why I'm taking this year more seriously. In 2006, everybody loved [the handshakes], but now it's different. I'm going to enjoy the game, but I'm not going to do the handshakes with the guys. I don't want people to talk about that. I just want to play baseball. I want to take care of business on the field."

It's been a long time coming, Jose.

photo by Julie Jacobson/AP