The LA Dodgers Have History on Their Side With Run Differential
We know the 2019 Dodgers have been good. Losing 3 out of 4 to the Padres notwithstanding, the first half for Los Angeles checked off a lot of boxes.
The Dodgers are the leaders in baseball in a number of varying categories, including owning the most wins in baseball at the half-way mark. But a key stat they are running away with in the National League is Run Differential. Enter another opportunity to bring up all-time stats.
The @Dodgers have a +129 run differential this season, 70 runs better than the next NL team (Braves +59).
There have been 11 other teams to lead their league in run differential by 70 runs at the All-Star Game. 9 of those 11 teams went on to win the World Series. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/ecDmvPUzWZ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 12, 2019
Yes, the Dodgers’ +129 run differential heading into the start of play in the second half is 70 (!) runs better than the Atlanta Braves, who sit at +59. Moreover, the Braves currently hold the second best record in the NL by a wide margin (6 games) and the Dodgers are leaving them in the dust.
Where this gets fun is when we look at other teams that have dominated at the level LA has coming out of the break. Of the 11 other teams to lead their league in run differential by 70 runs or more at the All-Star break, 9 have gone on to win the World Series.
And none of them were coming off of consecutive WS appearances.
You can read into these kind of numbers and stats any way you want, but it’s fun to look at history potentially being on the Dodgers’ side.
Just stay out of the World Series. I’ve seen no change, just a better record from beating up on barely .500 teams. Don’t embarrass the fans by being the joke of mlb that lost 3 in a row with this much talent
We have been out scored 19-7 during the last 4 games. That run differential is going to go away if we don’t start playing better. Most disturbing to me (outside of the bullpen) is that 3, 4, and 5 hitters are awol. Factor in Barnes and Hernandez and their 205 batting averages, and we can see why we are on a 4 game losing streak. And Cody and Justin have been leaving runners on base big time.
Judging from the way we played last bight, the Dodger ship of state is floundering. Instead of a long lineup loaded with power, we offered up Kiki, Barnes, Pollock, and one other “hitter” who escapes my memory. Then, Maeda throws gopher pitches and makes the BoSox batters look good. The platooning is killing us. Play Joc every day and lets take a chance on what he can do; he cannot be worse than Pollock, and he does provide home run power. Barnes is in need of a quick trip to the minors, while Will Smith assumes the mantle of every day catcher. Pollock is a total waste of money which is why he has to play. And Baez and Chargois in the BP are like Laurel and Hardy – a comedy of errors. Go Blue!!!
Too bad that run diff is mostly done against so-so relievers, not so much against starting pitchers.
Thats why we have so many come from behind wins, they can’t hit good pitching.
Ed. do you or anyone else here now see WHY Dodgers were no match for Boston in last year’s WS? Last night completely showed why Boston is a far better team, at least offensively.