{"id":592329,"date":"2026-04-08T00:31:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T00:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/592329\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T00:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T00:31:12","slug":"dodgers-dominance-to-start-2026-hasnt-been-seen-in-mlb-in-126-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/592329\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers\u2019 Dominance to Start 2026 Hasn\u2019t Been Seen in MLB in 126 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6d\">The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a dominant 8-2 start in 2026, and their offense has broken out, scoring a whopping 45 runs in their first four road games of the season. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6g\">According to OptaSTATS, the 45-run total is the most runs by any MLB team over its first four road games of a season since 1900, when the Phillies and Reds each scored 49 runs. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@Dodgers<\/a> have scored 45 runs in their 4 road games this season.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s the most runs by any MLB team over its first 4 road games of a season since 1900, when the Phillies and Reds each scored 49. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/00b5DHndyk\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/00b5DHndyk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OptaSTATS\/status\/2041344626074718223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6m\">A lot about MLB has changed since then, but the 2026 Dodgers seem to stand the test of time. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6p\">Only the 1900 Phillies and Reds, the 1890 Syracuse Stars and the 1884 St. Louis Maroons have scored more runs in their first four road games of a season, per MLB researcher Sarah Langs.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Most runs in first four road games of a season:<\/p>\n<p>1884 St. Louis Maroons: 57<br \/>1890 Syracuse Stars: 50<br \/>1900 Phillies: 49<br \/>1900 Reds: 49<br \/>2026 Dodgers: 45 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/RSifosGAX7\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/RSifosGAX7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SlangsOnSports\/status\/2041347932033597801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6v\">The Dodgers got off to a slow start during their six-game homestand to open the campaign, where they faced the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Guardians. The back-to-back champions managed to sweep Arizona, but dropped two games to the Guardians <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/dodgers\/onsi\/news\/dodgers-dave-roberts-highlights-biggest-concern-with-offense-early-in-season\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">because of their lack of offense. <\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6y\">Through the first six games of the season, the Dodgers lineup scored 23 runs with a .237 batting average. Once the Dodgers went on the road, their bats suddenly came to life. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"71\">In their series sweep over the Washington Nationals this weekend, LA scored 31 runs, including back-to-back double-digit outbursts on Friday and Saturday.  <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"74\">The Dodgers then arrived to the Rogers Centre, where they handed the Toronto Blue Jays in a 14-2 beatdown in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/dodgers\/onsi\/news\/dodgers-vs-blue-jays-series-preview-key-injuries-bold-prediction\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">series opener of the World Series rematch<\/a> on Monday.   <\/p>\n<p>Dalton Rushing Breaking Out for Dodgers<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7a\">Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers backup catcher, has seemingly fully broken through in the big leagues. After getting called up last season to get experience calling games for a major league pitching staff, Rushing had a hard time adjusting with his bat as he got irregular playing time with Will Smith at the helm.  <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7d\">He finished the 2025 season hitting .204 with three home runs, four runs batted in and an OPS of .582 across 155 plate appearances. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The World Series rematch was nothing like what transpired in October. <\/p>\n<p>The Dodgers hand the Blue Jays a 14-2 beatdown in the series opener at the Rogers Centre. <\/p>\n<p>Dalton Rushing had the first multi-homer game of his career. Miguel Rojas served as the Dodgers closer. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/sDA4g7caJ8\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/sDA4g7caJ8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Valentina Martinez (@ValentinaMrtnz_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ValentinaMrtnz_\/status\/2041336066570084360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7j\">Rushing absolutely raked at Triple-A and fans expected the Dodgers top prospect to do the same in the majors. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7m\">On Monday, he delivered. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7p\">Rushing went 4-for-4 with two home runs against the Blue Jays. It was the first multi-homer performance of his big league career. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Dalton Rushing is fully breaking out.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s 4-for-4 with two home runs on Monday against the Blue Jays. He also homered on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Rushing is now hitting .667 with an OPS of 2.367 this year. He&#8217;s gonna force the Dodgers to find him more playing time.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EyeCW41qhi\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/EyeCW41qhi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Noah Camras (@noahcamras) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/noahcamras\/status\/2041330625597382753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7v\">&#8220;Last year, mentally, I was in a tough spot playing the role that I was, and just kind of trying to figure out how you play that role,&#8221; Rushing said following his stellar performance against Toronto. &#8220;And this year, I have a little better understanding.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7y\">&#8220;You&#8217;re not going to show up and have a game like that tonight. You&#8217;re not going to show up and get two hits every game, whether you&#8217;re playing every day or you&#8217;re playing every three days. \u2026 Maybe it was just a pill I had to swallow a little bit.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"81\">While Rushing&#8217;s performance is certainly encouraging for the Dodgers and the future of the catcher position in LA, make no mistake, Will Smith is and will remain the starting catcher.  <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"84\">&#8220;I plan on giving Will ample rest. But make no mistake who our starting catcher is,&#8221; manager Dave Roberts said. &#8220;I think this is a good year for Dalton to take a lot more at-bats, catch a lot more innings.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"87\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/dodgers\/onsi\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up to our free newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DodgersOnSI\" rel=\"nofollow\">X\/Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61574700751221\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for the latest news.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten off to a dominant 8-2 start in 2026, and their offense has&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":592330,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[64,63,591,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-592329","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mlb","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-mlb","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/592329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=592329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/592329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/592330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=592329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=592329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=592329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}