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The random sequencing of a 162-game schedule makes it hard for a major league baseball team to play at a high level against every opponent. Sweeping a team in April doesn't mean success will follow the next time they’re on the schedule.
Teams go through peaks and valleys over those six months between injuries and roster moves. It’s difficult for even the best teams to have a .500 or better record against every club on their schedule.
The Dodgers are trying to do just that in 2017.
Not since 1966 has a Dodgers team finished at least .500 or better against every team on their schedule. There weren’t divisions in baseball until the 1969 season, at which point it became increasingly difficult to complete a full winning record. Not that it was easy prior to division play.
In 134 years of franchise history, the Dodgers have only done it eight times (1888, 1890, 1899, 1941, 1953, 1955, 1965, 1966). All five times from 1941 to 1966 the Dodgers represented the National League in the World Series.
There have been 10 instances where they finished just one win short, the last coming in a strike-shortened 1981 season when they beat the Yankees in the World Series.
The closest since was 1991 (two games short), 1996 (four games short) and 2002 (four games short).
With 30 games to go in this season, there are a few obstacles in the Dodgers way. Getting swept in Arizona this week didn’t help but the feat is well within reach.
2017 Dodgers vs Opponent
| Tm | G | W | L | W-L%▼ | RS | RA | hmW-L | rdW-L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tm | G | W | L | W-L%▼ | RS | RA | hmW-L | rdW-L |
| CHW | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | 21 | 6 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| CIN | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1.000 | 42 | 23 | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| KCR | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 14 | 7 | 3-0 | 0-0 |
| MIN | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 18 | 11 | 3-0 | 0-0 |
| NYM | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1.000 | 57 | 15 | 4-0 | 3-0 |
| PHI | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 16 | 11 | 3-0 | 0-0 |
| MIA | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0.857 | 42 | 24 | 3-1 | 3-0 |
| PIT | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0.857 | 40 | 19 | 3-0 | 3-1 |
| SDP | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0.750 | 81 | 34 | 5-2 | 4-1 |
| CHC | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0.667 | 22 | 11 | 3-0 | 1-2 |
| CLE | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 18 | 21 | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| DET | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 12 | 11 | 0-0 | 2-1 |
| COL | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0.583 | 65 | 46 | 4-1 | 3-4 |
| ATL | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0.571 | 30 | 35 | 2-2 | 2-1 |
| STL | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0.571 | 25 | 19 | 2-1 | 2-2 |
| SFG | 13 | 7 | 6 | 0.538 | 50 | 39 | 4-2 | 3-4 |
| ARI | 15 | 8 | 7 | 0.533 | 68 | 72 | 5-2 | 3-5 |
| LAA | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0.500 | 12 | 9 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| MIL | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0.500 | 17 | 19 | 1-2 | 2-1 |
| WSN | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.333 | 5 | 7 | 1-2 | 0-0 |
Breaking it down to the minimum amount of wins needed comes to a 12-18 record. Just like most of the season, it’s all about sequencing. They will likely have a much greater September record but it’s when the wins come.
The trouble spots come next week with Arizona and later in the month at Washington. There would need to be at least two wins in each series for this all to happen.
Remaining Opponents
| Opponent | Games Remaning | Record Against | Wins Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Games Remaning | Record Against | Wins Needed |
| Padres | 7 | 9-3 | 1 |
| Dbacks | 3 | 8-8 | 2 |
| Rockies | 7 | 7-5 | 3 |
| Giants | 6 | 7-6 | 3 |
| Nationals | 3 | 1-2 | 2 |
| Phillies | 4 | 3-0 | 1 |
In a record-breaking year in several categories, this would be one of the rare ones and gives one more thing to track as the Dodgers roll towards the postseason.
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