Will the Dodgers’ undefeated home start be a playoff jinx?
Posted by: Richie Rich in Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Jinx, Royals, Stats, TigersEveryone’s going La-La over the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 13-0 start at Dodger Stadium so far this season. Even though it is indeed an MLB record for most consecutive wins at home to start a season … I would like to remind everyone that it’s how you finish, rather than how you start.
And teams that start off REALLY hot at home … well, let’s just say that none of them have ever enjoyed a home-field advantage in October.
So far as I can tell, there have been six MLB teams (including the 2008 Dodgers) who have started a season 10-0 or better at home. The previous five didn’t make the playoffs.
Best MLB Home Starts
| Team and Year | Home Start | Season Record | Season Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 LA Dodgers | 13-0 | ||
| 1911 Detroit Tigers | 12-0 | 89-65 | 2nd Place - AL |
| 2003 KC Royals | 11-0 | 83-79 | 3rd Place - AL Central |
| 1983 Atlanta Braves | 10-0 | 88-74 | 2nd Place - NL West |
| 1918 NY Giants | 10-0 | 71-53 | 2nd Place - NL |
| 1970 Chicago Cubs | 10-0 | 84-78 | 2nd Place - NL East |
Mind you, most of those teams made their early run before the advent of Baseball’s current three-divisional format, and all but one of them would have made the playoffs if there was a WildCard playoff entry.
That would be the 2003 Royals, who went 29-40 at home the rest of the season. To make matter worse for the Royals – there was a WildCard that year … and they still couldn’t make the playoffs.
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