Whether considering it 40 or 41 games, the Los Angeles Dodgers completed the first quarter of the 2019 MLB season in much better position than last year. Including Friday’s shutout win over the Washington Nationals, the Dodgers are 26-15.
Having just completed the stretch they were without Justin Turner because of a fractured left wrist suffered in Spring Training, the Dodgers were 16-24 through the first 40 games last season. It marked the worst 40-game start in L.A. franchise history.
Turner was activated for the 41st game, but the Dodgers couldn’t shake the losing as they dropped two more games. They then turned the tied by winning eight of the next 10 and ultimately staked their claim to a sixth consecutive National League West title.
Mindful of the Dodgers being in a vastly different scenario this season, manager Dave Roberts was pleased with how his team performed through the first quarter but also highlighted the possibility of overall improvement, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s good. I think it’s good. You guys know I don’t get too caught up in the records and standings. The intent is good, the effort is good. I still think there’s a lot better all-around quality of baseball in there. I expect a lot from these guys. At times we’re pitching well, at times we’re defending well, at times we’re swinging the bats well. But other times we’re not. I think this group is talented enough to play even better, despite the win-loss.”
The Dodgers trail only the Minnesota Twins (24-12) by a half-game for the best record in baseball, but are 1.5 games up on both the Chicago Cubs (22-14) and Milwaukee Brewers (24-16) in the NL standings.
The Dodgers took four of seven games from the Brewers in the season series, but are just 1-2 thus far against the Cubs. The teams will meet at Dodger Stadium in June for a four-game set.
Even with some of the ebbs and flows thus far, the Dodgers pace the Majors with 175 walks, are second with 219 runs scored, tied for third with 66 home runs and rank fourth with an .807 on-base plus slugging percentage.
On the pitching side, the staff’s 3.78 ERA is seventh-best (third in NL), their 1.13 WHIP is third (first in NL) and opponents’ .686 OPS is fifth overall (second in NL).
