The Los Angeles Dodgers jump from one Interleague Series to another, as they begin a three-game set Friday against the Detroit Tigers. The opener marks the start of a seven-game road trip for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers and Tigers last met in 2014, when Detroit won three of four games. They swept the two games at home and split at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles is 14-3 against the American League this season, enter play on a modest four-game winning streak, in the midst of a 50-9 stretch and an astounding 51 games above .500.
Their level of success has amazed many, including Tigers outfielder Alex Presley, via Chris McCosky of The Detroit News:
“It usually doesn’t happen that way; even if you are playing great, it doesn’t happen like that,” right fielder Alex Presley said. “It’s like Oregon State (baseball) had that ridiculous record (56-6, 23 straight wins) — you look at that and think it’s a joke. The Dodgers are doing something very similar at this level. It’s pretty amazing.”
Justin Upton, who grew quite familiar with the Dodgers during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres, shared a similar view:
“Just phenomenal,” he said. “The fact that you can go out and do everything right in this game and still lose — that makes what they’re doing even more impressive. Obviously, they’re doing everything right because they’re winning every one of them. It’s crazy to watch.”
The Dodgers are currently on pace for 116 wins, which would tie the all-time MLB record that’s held by the 1906 Chicago Cubs and 2001 Seattle Mariners. The 2017 Dodgers became the first team in franchise history since the 1953 Brooklyn club to go 50 games over .500.
A fifth consecutive National League West title is all but sealed, and the best overall record in baseball is likely to follow. Whether the Dodgers are able to reach the milestone of 116 wins remains in question, they should surpass 105 games won to set a new franchise record.
