The Los Angeles Dodgers won the National League West for the fourth consecutive season in 2016, finishing 91-71. They failed to reach the World Series again though, falling to the Chicago Cubs in six games in the National League Championship Series.
After an offseason in which they were able to retain all their key free agents like Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Rich Hill and Chase Utley, while also acquiring second baseman Logan Forsythe, the Dodgers expectations in 2017 were even higher than in 2016 as they were projected to win 94.5 games by the Las Vegas sportsbooks. Adding Yu Darvish at the deadline was just icing on the cake.
The season is now just about 3/4’s over, and the Dodgers are on pace to shatter that win total in record fashion, as they own the best record in all of baseball at 85-34 and need to win just 10 of 43 to eclipse the over. This looks like a lock for the season wins totals considering they’ve won 25 of their last 29 after the All-Star break.
For the Dodgers to reach their 91 win total from last season, they would need to go just 6-37 (.140) down the stretch, and have all but left both the Arizona Diamondbacks (67-54) and Colorado Rockies (67-54) in their wake. Both teams are trailing by 19 games and are looking to fend off St. Louis, Chicago, and Milwaukee for wild card spots in the post season.
Currently the Dodgers are pegged at +225 World Series favorites at Oddsdigger.com, putting them well ahead of other contenders like the Astros (+450), Cubs (+600), Nationals (+700), Red Sox (+750) and Indians (+800).
Additionally, the exceptional first half that carried over the All-Star break, the Dodgers are now on pace to win 116 games which would be the highest win total in franchise history and the second highest in league history. However given the massive lead, it is possible that Dave Roberts rests some players down the stretch, which could affect their ultimate win total, but the season over total is all but a lock.
