For the first time this season the Los Angeles Dodgers have cut away from the pack and stand alone in first place in the NL West with a record of 33-20. Ironically, just 4 days ago, the Dodgers were sitting in 3rd place behind both the Arizona Diamondbacks and, then, division-leading Colorado Rockies; however, the red hot Dodgers are riding a 6-game winning streak, including a sweep of the Cubs and taking the first two games against the Cardinals, thereby returning to their rightful place.
In the last four seasons, on May 31st, going into the game the Dodgers were 27-25 (2nd) in 2016, 29-19 (1st) in 2015, 29-27 (2nd) in 2014 and a ghastly 22-30 (5th) in 2013. With one of the best records in baseball, even this early in the season, it appears that the Dodgers are prepped for a 5th consecutive division title.
Only the Oakland A’s (1971-1975), the Philadelphia Phillies (2007-2011), the Cleveland Indians (1995-1999), the New York Yankees (1949-1953, 1960-1964, 1998-2006), and the Atlanta Braves (1991-1993*, 1995-2005) have won at least 5 consecutive division titles with every single one of those teams winning the pennant and making it to the World Series.
The Athletics won the World Series three times in as many apperances during their streak, the Phillies won once in two appearances, the Braves won once in five appearances and the Yankees won all five times during their first streak, twice in five appearances during their second streak and three out of five during their third streak. The only team to lose the World Series during the aforementioned title streaks were the 1995 Cleveland Indians who lost (to the Braves) in six games.
Baseball is, arguably, the streakiest professional sport. As we all know, the team that is hottest leading up to and during the postseason ends up winning it all. It is also safe to say that the teams who win their division in consecutive seasons are likely to make it back to the Fall Classic with an even higher chance of winning it all. The Dodgers have not had an appearance in their previous four seasons despite four consecutive division titles. With an incredible start to the 2017 season they are on track to winning a fifth division title and, if they do, their chances of making it back to the big stage appear to be predestined.
BakoBoyInBlue
*The 1994 season ended on August 11th due to a players’ strike.
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