Dodgers: Their Fans Should Forget About the All-Time Wins Record

Can’t win em all. That’s what they say right? Well actually, from June 7 until a couple of days ago, the Dodgers essentially did win them all until the surprising Brewers came to town. An impressive streak it was for LA, featuring 19 series wins and no series losses during that stretch.

The team went right along to drop their next series against the talented, yet overly enthusiastic D’Backs, who appear determined to recover a shred of dignity in what has turned into a laugher of an NL West race.

The Dbacks rolled out three of their best starters in this series. The Dodgers yawned and lined up their #4, #5, and #6 guys in the rotation. Corey Seager was rested. The Dodgers seem more concerned with getting healthy for the postseason rather than doing any regular season history breaking. Demolishing the franchise’s own personal records appear to suffice, which is A-OK in my book.

The Dodgers now must win 26 of their last 31 games to clinch the wins record. Not out of the realm of possibility for this team certainly, but a goal probably not worth pursuing. This is a chance for the team to come back down to earth, rest up, and regain perspective on what’s really important. Forget going after the all time wins record, let’s focus on getting this team rested, and then primed and ready for the playoffs.

Besides, there’s just nothing like some good O’l fashioned losing to fire up some of the part timers and call-ups to see what they really have. It’s honestly about time this team was served a bitter spoonful of adversity during their summer of rainbows and unicorns to keep em honest anyway.

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Impenetrable as they may seem at full strength, some adversity is just what this team needs about now. They’ll be sure to face tons of it come postseason time, as the Dodgers currently feature a bulls-eye on their back big enough to be seen from outer space.

The team’s top three starters have all recently had health problems. Justin Turner is hitting under .250 in the second half. Cody Belling is fresh off the D.L. Adrian Gonzalez still seems broken. Seager has a sore elbow. The offense has been uninspiring the last few games. The Dodgers are now in possession of a meager .695 winning percentage. Dreams of the all time win record are beginning to slip away.

September is almost here, which means rest for many of the regulars can expect regular rest as the rosters expand. With a lead close to 20 games in the NL West, rest sounds perfect as the postseason looms.

Names like Turner, Seager, Bellinger, Grandal, Puig, and Taylor can be given an extra breather here and there in place of names like Verdugo, Segedin, Farmer, and other top prospects and those on the fringe. One wonders if Andre Ethier can catch fire and make a compelling argument for being on the playoff roster?

You’ll also see the likes of Kershaw, Darvish, and Wood pulled from their starts closer to 90 pitches than 100. You’ll see a lot more of Ravin and Cingrani. This will also most likely coincide with Walker Buehler attempting his best 2006 Adam Wainwright impression.

And after they’ve received ample rest, the regulars can be put back into their standard routine during the final stretch of the season to recapture that steam for October. This team is good enough to turn it on and off like that.

Besides, no team storms through the regular season in such a manner that the Dodgers have to continue then to plow through the postseason. It just doesn’t happen. You could ask the members of the 2001 Mariners, who tied the all time wins record but failed to reach the World Series. It’s been said that team was gassed for the playoffs after a media whirlwind surrounded their All-Time wins record pursuit. One could label those Mariners as the greatest losers who ever lived.

You could ask the members of the 1906 Cubs who also won 116 games but didn’t win their last. Well, maybe you can’t ask them. I think they’re all dead now, but the point remains. The regular season win record means nothing. I repeat nothing.

Next: Starting Pitchers Grades

Wouldn’t say, 111 wins (one more than the ‘27 Yanks) winning the World Series, and becoming the greatest National League team ever be enough? Dodger’s starter Rich Hill recently said: “I don’t even like talking about wins and losses because that’s not really what it is for us at the end of the day.” That’s right Rich; it’s not about wins, perfect games, or anything else. It’s about winning the whole dang thing.

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