Posted on 10/01/2022 3:56:41 PM PDT by Bullish
With a 10-1 win Friday night, the Dodgers notched their 109th victory of the season. If that sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. The Dodgers’ 109-win season is just the ninth instance overall of a team winning that many games, and the first time a National League team has reached such heights since 1909, when the Pirates won 110 games.
Postseason success is the ultimate barometer of how a team will be remembered, but regular-season prowess – especially at this level – deserves attention, too.
Here are seven facts and stats about the Dodgers reaching a level of winning not seen in the NL in more than 110 years.
• The Dodgers passed the 1975 Reds and 1986 Mets (both 108-54) for the third-most wins in a season by an NL team, trailing only the 1906 Cubs (116-36) and aforementioned 1909 Pirates (110-42). The NL dates to 1876, when MLB history begins, so this is no small sample.
• The Dodgers’ 109th win was also their 215th since the start of last season. That’s the third-most by any team in a two-season span, trailing only the 1906-07 Cubs (223) and 1969-70 Orioles (217). And the season isn’t over yet.
• It wasn’t just Los Angeles’ 109th win. It was also the club’s 93rd win by multiple runs, tying the 1998 Yankees for the most such wins in a season in MLB history. The only other team to even have 90 multi-run wins in a season was the 2001 Mariners, who tied the MLB record with 116 wins overall.
• Speaking of margins, the Dodgers have a whopping plus-334 run differential this season. Only nine teams since 1900 have finished a season with a +300 run differential or higher:
1939 Yankees: +411 (152 games played)
1927 Yankees: +376 (155)
1902 Pirates: +335 (142)
1936 Yankees: +334 (155)
1906 Cubs: +323 (155)
1998 Yankees: +309 (162)
1937 Yankees: +307 (157)
2001 Mariners: +300 (162)
The Dodgers, at +334 through 157 games, are on pace for a +344 run differential, which would rank third on the above list. Barring some uncharacteristic losses, they seem set to finish with at least the highest run differential we’ve seen since the ‘39 Yankees.
• Over the last three full seasons, the Dodgers have set a franchise record with 106 wins in 2019, tied that record in ‘21 and then set the record at 109 and counting in ‘22. The Dodgers are the second team to win at least 105 wins in three straight full seasons, along with the 1942-44 Cardinals, and the only team to win more than 105 in three consecutive full seasons.
• Looking ahead, there have been just six seasons of 110 or more wins in MLB history and just two in the previous 67 years, by the 2001 Mariners and ‘98 Yankees. The Dodgers have five games left, all at home against the Rockies.
Most wins in a season, MLB history:
1906 Cubs 116-36
2001 Mariners 116-46
1998 Yankees 114-48
1954 Cleveland 111-43
1927 Yankees 110-44
1909 Pirates 110-42
Gonna be hard for anyone to get past them.
Pitching will be their problem in the post season. Their offense may just save the day.
Congratulations Dodgers! The 69 - 70 Orioles were a powerhouse team.
Good luck to them In the postseason. That’s a whole new ballgame and oft times some unknown player or players rises to the occasion and slays the giant.
You missed the Mariners 114 win season or I did not see it on the list. That was 2001.
BTW they were swept in the first round of the playoffs
The article was talking about the NL record not the AL, but it did mention them later.
Never take anything for granted in baseball, especially not in the postseason.
Pitching will be their problem in the post season. Their offense may just save the day.
The Dodgers have the best pitching staff in MLB, even with the loss of Walker Buhler, limited use of Tony Gonsolin, and ineffectiveness of Craig Kimbrel. Tyler Anderson and the bullpen largely of castoffs have really come through.
What is their payroll advantage versus the other NL teams?
America will never recover until the Dodgers return to Brooklyn.
“BTW they were swept in the first round of the playoffs.”
The Mariners were not swept in the first round. They beat Cleveland before losing in five to the Yankees in the ALCS.
Dodgers ping...
Ask the Yankees, who I believe have more.
I think the Nats are trying to lose 109 games this year.
I think they’re doing that without even trying, which is even worse.
Book mark.
F LA
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.