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Dodgers Have Chance to Break 142-Year-Old MLB Record
TL;DR
The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a strong start in 2026 with an 11-4 record and a run differential of +35, the best in MLB. They are on pace to challenge the 142-year-old record of +458 set by the St. Louis Maroons in 1884.
Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a solo homerun during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a great start in 2026, and their run differential definitely reflects that.
The Dodgers, after their loss to the Texas Rangers, have a run differential of +35âthe best in MLB. They currently have an 11-4 record and are just shy of being on pace for the MLB record of +458, which the St. Louis Maroons set in 1884.
As far as the Modern Era (Since 1900) is concerned, the 1939 New York Yankees hold the record at +411. LA is the closest team since the end of World War 2 to breaking the record, having a +334 differential in the 2022 season.
At their current pace, the Dodgers are set to reach a +378 run differential, as theyâre averaging +2.33 runs per game, but if they only marginally improve, they could very well chase the feat. The Maroons averaged +2.827 per game in 1884, which is a perfectly attainable number for a supercharged offense like the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are projected to win 100 games this season, per FanGraphs, and their strong offense makes a lofty goal such as this attainable.
Apr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a solo homerun during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
How Good is the Dodgersâ Offense?
At the moment, the Dodgers have the best offense in MLB, both statistically and on paper.
LA leads MLB in wRC+ with a collective 148, and have hit seven more home runs (27) than the next closest team.
Several of the Dodgersâ supplementary players have stepped up early in the season, and have provided them with plenty of runs throughout the early goings. Perhaps the best example of one of these players is Andy Pages, who leads MLB with 24 hits and a .429 batting average. His 247 wRC+ ranks first among qualified Dodgers.
While he has a much smaller role than Pages, Dalton Rushing has also contributed to the Dodgersâ early-season surge. He had three homers and four RBIs in 10 plate appearances leading into Sundayâs game, and he logged a double in the contest as well.
With their peripheral players heating up, if the Dodgersâ pull upâ big bats perform up to standard, they could have a real shot at breaking a well-established MLB record.
Do you think the Dodgers can reach this goal?
Q&A
What is the MLB record for run differential and who holds it?
The MLB record for run differential is +458, held by the St. Louis Maroons, set in 1884.
How does the Dodgers' current run differential compare to historical records?
The Dodgers' current run differential of +35 is the best in MLB this season and puts them on pace to challenge the historical record.
What was the Dodgers' run differential in the 2022 season?
In the 2022 season, the Dodgers had a run differential of +334, which was the closest since World War 2 to breaking the historical record.
