Dodgers’ 29-4 run built on all-around excellence
Los Angeles has a lot to smile about. The Dodgers are not just the hottest team in baseball, but they are also on a breakneck pace that could put the 2017 club among the greatest in their rich franchise history.
At 64-29 after a three-game weekend sweep of the Miami Marlins, the Dodgers have a .688 winning percentage — the best in franchise history.
They are on pace to better the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, who finished 105-49 (.682) before losing to the New York Yankees in a sixgame World Series.
Perhaps most remarkable, though, is the Dodgers’ 29-4 run that dates to June 7.
When the Dodgers lost to the Washington Nationals 2-1 on June 6, they trailed the Colorado Rockies by two games and were tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.
Through Sunday, games, they enjoyed a 101⁄ 2- game lead over the Diamondbacks and 111⁄ over 2 the Rockies.
And since there are plenty of ways to quantify a stretch like that, here are five factors in the Dodgers’ dominance. THE PITCHING STAFF Somehow, the Dodgers managed to improve what was the best pitching staff in the majors by doing nothing. Clayton Kershaw is still Clayton Kershaw, and the hurlers around him are only getting better.
Take Kenta Maeda. Before the start of the hot streak, Maeda had registered a 5.16 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 521⁄ innings. But 3 in the 252⁄ innings he has 3 pitched since June 9, the Dodgers right-hander has posted a 2.81 ERA and walked four batters.
Meanwhile, Alex Wood’s dominance has endured.
Frankly, not much has changed for the 26-year-old left-hander since the Dodgers’ run has started. His 1.69 ERA before June 6 isn’t much worse than the 1.40 ERA he has posted after that date.
But Wood has yet to lose a game in 14 starts, and given his work so far, he might have a legitimate chance to break Phil Regan’s record for the highest single-season winning percentage in franchise history (14-1, .933, in 1966).
In theory, Wood is merely the Dodgers’ No. 3 starter. That must be nice. JUSTIN TURNER After straining his right hamstring in late May, Turner returned from the disabled list June 9 — two days after the Dodgers’ dominant run began. Since his return, the third baseman is batting .367 with a 1.202 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), 10 home runs and 22 RBI.
Correlation? Probably. COREY SEAGER Through his first 58 games, the reigning NL rookie of the year wasn’t necessarily living up to his title. Seager posted a .275 batting average, .822 OPS, seven homers and 24 RBI. In 26 games since June 6, though, Seager is batting .340 with a 1.051 OPS — all while doubling his home run total and notching 22 RBI. YASIEL PUIG The power-hitting right fielder’s 18 home runs are one shy of his career best — nine of them coming in his last 27 games.
As if the Dodgers needed more power. CODY BELLINGER The Dodgers rookie hit for the cy- cle against the Marlins on Saturday, the latest bullet point in a startling season that didn’t begin for him until April 25.
His season has been just as remarkable as the stranglehold his team has put on the National League West.
Still, it’s worth acknowledging that the Dodgers rookie has hit 14 of his 26 homers and recorded 30 of his 61 RBI in this 33-game span.
The NL rookie of the year trophy is going to Los Angeles again, and, at this rate, the World Series trophy could make it there, too.