Unless something weird happens in the next 10 days, the Dodgers will finish with the best regular season record. Does that mean they will win the World Series?
Not necessarily, and if we can believe history, probably not.
The majors went to divisions in 1969, increasing the number of teams in the postseason from only the two pennant winners. Since then, the team with the best regular season record has gone on to win the Series 14 times in 52 years, only 27 percent.
Even having a great regular season does not guarantee postseason success. The 1906 Cubs of Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance fame had the best ever record of 116-36 (.763). They lost a six-game Series to their crosstown rivals, the White Sox.
The 1954 Indians (their name at the time), with Hall of Fame pitchers Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Hal Newhouser, were 111-43 for an American League record .721. They were swept by the New York Giants.
The 2001 Mariners equaled the Cubs record for wins with 116-46. (.716). They didn't even reach the Series, losing to the Yankees in the AL championship series.
In a 162-game season, the cream will rise to the top. But in a short series – best-of-three, best-of-five or best-of-seven -- anything can happen, and sometimes does. That explains why the 1954 Giants were able to sweep the Indians, and going back more than a century, why the 1914 “Miracle” Boston Braves swept Connie Mack's star-studded Philadelphia A's who had won three of the previous four series.
Teams that had the best regular season record and went on to win the World Series since 1969:
1970 Orioles – 108-54.
1975 Reds – 108-54.
1976 Reds – 102-60.
1978 Yankee – 100-63. The Yankees and Red Sox finished 162 games tied in the AL East and the Yanks won a one-game playoffs.
1984 Tigers – 104-58.
1986 Mets – 108-54.
1989 A's – 99-63.
1998 Yankees – 114-48.
2007 Red Sox – 96-66, tied with Indians for best record.
2009 Yankees – 103-59
2013 Red Sox – 97-65, tied with Cardinals
2016 Cubs – 103-58
2018 Red Sox – 108-54
2020 Dodgers – 43-17 in COVID shortened season.
