I started wondering this myself last week. Certainly their best (to date) in the 39 seasons I have followed them.
[
www.espn.com]
The Dodgers have now won 22 of their past 26 games, and (Alex) Wood's emergence as a strong No. 2 behind Kershaw leads me to this question: Could this be the best team in Los Angeles Dodgers history? Their current run differential of plus-154 would be the second highest in National League history at the All-Star break, behind only the 1944 Cardinals, and they're on pace for 107 wins.
For context, here are the best seasons since the franchise moved from Brooklyn in 1958:
2017 Dodgers: 57-29, .663
1974 Dodgers: 102-60, .630
1962 Dodgers: 102-63, .618
1963 Dodgers: 99-63, .611
1977 Dodgers: 98-64, .605
As much success as the Dodgers have had -- including the past four NL West titles -- it's surprising they haven't had more super teams. They haven't won more than 95 games since that '77 squad did it 40 years ago. I imagine most Dodgers experts would point to the 1963 team, led by Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, as the best since it swept the New York Yankees in the World Series.
The 1974 team that had the highest winning percentage led the NL in both runs scored (798) and fewest runs allowed (561). That team featured Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall, who pitched a remarkable 206 innings in relief, plus MVP Steve Garvey (although Jim Wynn easily led Garvey in WAR and 20-game winner Andy Messersmith topped Marshall). The Dodgers lost the World Series to the A's.
This team has a chance to top those two, especially given the weak slate of opponents on their schedule the rest of the way. Of their 76 remaining games, 47 are against teams currently with losing records, just 29 against winning teams. Of their first 36 games after the break, 30 are against losing teams. The Dodgers have the best rotation ERA in the majors. They lead the NL in bullpen ERA. They're second only to the Nationals in the NL in runs. They have the best closer. They have Cody Freakin' Bellinger.
It's not a question of winning 100 games, but how many wins above 100.
