Tuesday, August 13, 2013

2013 Dodgers: Hottest Ever?

Some good stats from ESPN.com's David Schoenfield on the Dodgers' recent run (and this was before Monday's 4-2 victory over the Mets):

Behind the great Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers won again on Sunday, beating the Rays to complete an impressive three-game sweep. Back on June 21, the Dodgers were 30-42, in last place in the NL West, 9.5 games out of first.

Since then, the Dodgers have gone 37-8, becoming just the fifth NL team in 75 years to win at least 37 games over a 45-game stretch, and the first since the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. Since June 22, the Dodgers have the best wOBA in the NL (and third in the majors behind the Tigers and Red Sox); a 2.56 ERA, best in the majors; they've allowed the fewest runs (132), while scoring the second-most (222, tied with the Braves, behind the Tigers).

Obviously, 37-8 is pretty rare. Here are the teams with 37 wins in 45 games since 1950 (data from ESPN Stats & Info and the Baseball-Reference Play Index):

2013 Dodgers: 37-8, +90 run differential
2005 A's: 37-8, +134
2001 A's: 37-8, +148
1998 Yankees: 37-8, +130
1977 Royals: 37-8, +99
1954 Indians: 37-8, +99
1953 Dodgers: 37-8, +127
1951 Giants: 38-7, +92

By the way, those 2005 A's didn't even make the playoffs, finishing 88-74. Like the Dodgers, they started slow and were 27-39 when they began their hot streak. They were leading the Angels by a game heading into September but went 13-17 down the stretch and finished 7 games out of first.

Hmm. Don't let up, Dodgers!

photo swiped from here

5 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

I have really enjoyed this tear, but I know the next loss will make me nearly forget how good it's been

Hideo Nomo said...

Gotta keep stepping on their necks.

Fred's Brim said...

Snappin' necks and cashin' checks

Fred's Brim said...

and the site referenced for the image has some really cool stuff on it, large-scale outdoor art projects and other clever art things

Steve Sax said...

@FB: we are indeed a worldly lot, us Sons