THE NUMBERS GAME

The all-star break has put a 2017 season that has been full of surprises on pause. Here’s a look at some eye-opening numbers from the major leagues’ first half:

Dodger dominance: The Los Angeles Dodgers’ plus-163 run differential is the best in National League history for a team heading into the all-star break. They have won 26 of their last 30 games. Twenty-six of 30.

The Judge: Aaron Judge’s 30 home runs are the most at the break since Chris Davis hit 37 in 2013. With Judge on pace to finish with 57 home runs, Mark McGwire’s record for the most home runs by a rookie (49) could be in danger.

Blast off: The Houston Astros trail only the Dodgers for the most wins at the half, and while the Dodgers may boast the best run differential entering the second half in the history of the NL, the Astros have made their own mark. Houston’s 148 first-half home runs are the most since the Texas Rangers hit 147 in 2005. On top of that, their team slugging percentage (.500) is second all-time, trailing only the Seattle Mariners’ mark of .503 through the first half of the 1996 season. And as if that weren’t enough, the pitching staff’s 895 total strikeouts are also a record — breaking the standard set by the Dodgers only one year ago when they struck out 866 batters before the All-Star break.

Defensive downturn: The Oakland Athletics have been doing their opponents a lot of favors, as their 77 errors lead the major leagues. So far this season, the Athletics have allowed 52 batters to reach base on an error — the most since the Padres allowed 61 in 2001. Sale force: Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale’s 178 strikeouts at the break is the most since 2002, when Curt Schilling struck out 186 in 19 games. For what it’s worth, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer isn’t far behind Sale with 173. Red legs: With 26 triples in the first half, the Reds posted the highest mark in the category since the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox had 31 and 30, respectively, in 2003.