For the first five months of the 2017 MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers looked unbeatable.
Through their first 127 games, they were on pace to post one of the best single-season records in MLB history. Then came Game 128, a 3-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 26.
Since that day, the Dodgers have gone on to win just once in their last 17 tries, including the past 11 in a row. For context, that’s the franchise’s worst stretch since the team moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season.
Gone is their stranglehold on first place in the National League as the Washington Nationals currently sit just 3.5 games back with a crucial head-to-head series between the two on tap this weekend.
Over in the American League, the Cleveland Indians have put together 19 consecutive victories, which is just two off the MLB’s modern-era record set by the Chicago Cubs in 1935.
Cleveland has been pummelling opponents, averaging nearly seven runs per game while surrendering just 1.68. What’s perhaps most surprising is that the success has come without all-star reliever Andrew Miller, who was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 22.
With ace Corey Kluber taking the mound against the lowly Detroit Tigers Tuesday at Progressive Field, the Indians will have an excellent chance of extending their streak to 20.
With two historic streaks happening simultaneously, we decided to compare the Dodgers’ and Indians’ statistics during their respective runs.
| Stats during streak | Indians | Dodgers |
|---|---|---|
| Runs scored | 132 | 30 |
| Runs allowed | 32 | 74 |
| Run differential | 100 | -44 |
| Batting average | .309 | .203 |
| Team OPS | .951 | .609 |
| Home runs | 38 | 10 |
| ERA | 1.68 | 6.63 |
| Pitcher strikeouts | 175 | 117 |
