Dodgers on pace to tie MLB record for wins in a season
The Los Angeles Dodgers have set themselves up to become one of the best teams in major-league history.
For the regular season, at least.
Los Angeles improved to 85-34 on the season Wednesday following a 5-4 walk-off win over the Chicago White Sox and are on pace to tie the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 2001 Seattle Mariners for the MLB record for wins in a season (116), according to ESPN Stats and Info.
| TEAM | THROUGH 119 GP | FINAL RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | 85-34 | -- |
| Mariners | 86-33 | 116-46 |
| Cubs | 86-31 | 116-36 |
It's been an absolutely incredible run for the Dodgers, who have built up an 18 1/2-game lead in the National League West. The club has gone 24-5 (.828) since the All-Star break, and haven't lost a series since the first week of June.
Los Angeles needs to go 31-12 down the stretch to tie the record, and 32-11 to establish a new mark, and the remaining schedule should allow them to have a chance. The Dodgers have 24 games remaining against teams with losing records, while they're 18-13 against the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and Washington Nationals, who they play a combined 19 times.
While regular-season success is great, the Dodgers will likely consider the season a failure should they be unable to win the World Series. The organization hasn't reached the Fall Classic since 1988, when they defeated the Oakland Athletics in five games to win its last championship.
Finishing with 116 regular-season wins hasn't resulted in a championship historically. The Cubs lost in the World Series in 1906, while the 2001 Mariners fell in the ALCS in five games.