The Dodgers Truly Historical Run

Obviously, I'm a bit more excited this baseball season than most.  The reason, in case you have been living under a rock, is because the Dodgers have been so hot for nearly two months now that they are being compared to records and stats that have happened in over half a century.  So, with all the stats being stated, I thought I would try to compile some of them here to give you a better idea of what I'm talking about.  I'm pulling these stats from a number of places.  (Plus, being a math geek and number nerd, this stuff is awesome!)  Here we go.

• The Dodgers record on June 22 (when this hot streak all started) was 30-42.  After today's win, it is 71-50.
• On June 22, they were in last place in the National League West, 9.5 game behind the first place Arizona Diamondbacks.  After today's win, they are in first place, 8.5 games ahead of the second place Diamondbacks. (They took over first place on July 22.)
• Over the past 49 games, they are 41-8.
• Over the past 49 games, they have made up 18 games in the standings.  Before tonight, they had made up 17 games in a 48 game stretch.  The last team to do that was the 1995 Braves who made up 17 games in a 37 game stretch.
• During the streak, the Dodgers set an all time Dodgers record by winning 15 straight road games.  (Keep in mind the Dodgers have been around since 1890!)
• Before tonight's game, their 40-8 streak was the best since the 1942 Cardinals went 41-7.
• At the All Star break in mid-July, the Dodgers were at .500, 47-47.  Since then, they have gone 24-3.
• In July, they were 19-6.
• So far in August, they are 14-1.
• They have now won 9 straight games.  The last time they won 9 in a row was May 2010.
• Side note, and kind of interesting: during their streak, they have beat pitchers by the names of Lee, Harvey and Oswalt.
• The Dodgers collected their 15th shutout of the season tonight, which is tied for most in the majors with the Indians.
• The Dodgers now have a better record than all three division leaders in the American League.
• The Dodgers have the best road record in the National League: 34-25.
• Their 8.5 game division lead is the second largest in baseball behind the Braves 15.5 game lead in the National League East.
• If the playoffs started today, they would face the Pirates (who have not been to the playoffs since 1992), whom they are 4-3 against this season.
• With 41 games left to play this season, the Dodgers magic number (combination of Dodger wins and Diamondback losses) is 34.  One way to look at this is if the Dodgers were to go 34-7 the remainder of the season, they are guaranteed to with their division and therefore make the playoffs.  If the Dodgers only go 21-20 the rest of the season, the Diamondbacks would have to go  30-12 in order for the Dodgers to not make the playoffs.

 I'm sure there are more, but maybe I can add to this as the streak continues.  Many people now seem to be saying that the Dodgers are World Series bound.  That would be awesome considering the last time they were there was 1988, 25 years ago, when they won it against the A's.  However, there is a long way to go to get there.

I went to my first Dodger game in 1984, 29 years ago.  I have never seen them play as good as they are right now, which is why I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can.  Seasons like this are very rare.  Also, it's kind of nice that the Angels are doing so poorly, which makes any comments from my Angel-fan in-laws empty.  The Angels current record, entering tonight's game is 54-66. They are currently losing in the 9th inning (to a team that already has 81 losses) and if they lose tonight, they will be 54-77.  Another way to look at this is that if the Angels and Dodgers were in the same division, the Angels would be 17 games behind the Dodgers.  Yes, it is a good year indeed.

However, the Dodgers' second season, the playoffs, begin on October 1.  You think I'm crazy into the Dodgers now, wait until the playoffs...especially if they do well.