Going into the 2024 season, the majority of the talk surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers focused on their star-studded offense. With MVP caliber talent like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the lineup, Los Angeles boasts one of the most dangerous offensive lineups the MLB has seen in years. Yet after 41 games, it is the defense carrying this team forward.
The Dodgers pitching staff has been sensational this season and that is reflected in the team’s low ERA. The Dodgers have the lowest team ERA in the National League (3.14) and the third-lowest ERA in the majors behind only the Boston Red Sox (2.74) and New York Yankees (3.00).
Led by six strong innings from James Paxton, the Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 5-0 on Saturday to improve to 27-14. With that shutout, Los Angeles reached an impressive milestone. It was a 18th the straight game the club have allowed four runs or fewer, a feat that has not been matched by any MLB club in seven years.
According to a recent X post from MLB writer Sarah Lang, the last organization to go on a similar run was the 2017 Cleveland Guardians. That team pulled off 25 straight games allowing four or fewer runs and finished 24-1 during that period.
the Dodgers have allowed 4 runs or fewer in a franchise-record 18 consecutive games
last MLB team with a single-season streak this long: Cleveland with 25 straight in 2017 (began with final 21 games of their 22-game win streak; went 24-1 in stretch) https://t.co/BwcRrBcpMl
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 12, 2024
Righty veteran Tyler Glasnow has been exceptional this season with a 6-1 record and a 2.53 ERA, but all of the starter have contributed with solid innings. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and James Paxton both have ERA’s under 3.00 and have combined for just one loss. Gavin Stone has also impressed over seven starts with a 3-1 record and a 3.55 ERA over 38 innings.
It is important to note the Shohei Ohtani is not pitching this season but could be back in 2025. If the Dodgers can keep this pitching core together, and continue to perform the way they are on the offensive front, it is hard to see anyone stopping them in the National League in the coming years.
