Haven't Seen This Before

Tinkerman · 07-17-2022, 05:44 AM

Here's one for the statisticians. Has a team with a negative run differential ever finished with the best record in MLB?

Ozzie7227 · 07-17-2022, 05:46 PM

tl;dr - No.

Only 9 teams in history have made the playoffs with a negative RDiff. Three of those teams were in 2020, and a 4th team was in the strike-shortened season of 1981. Of the remaining 5 teams, the best record was 90-72, shared by the 2007 Diamondbacks (-20) and the 1997 Giants (-9). Neither team lead the league in wins.

Source: MLB.com: Playoff teams with negative run differential

Tinkerman · 07-18-2022, 08:22 AM

Thanks, Ozzie. That's more stark than I expected!

07-17-2022, 05:44 AM	#1
Tinkerman All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 1,939	Haven't Seen This Before Here's one for the statisticians. Has a team with a negative run differential ever finished with the best record in MLB? Attached Images

07-17-2022, 05:46 PM	#2
Ozzie7227 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Arizona Posts: 102	tl;dr - No. Only 9 teams in history have made the playoffs with a negative RDiff. Three of those teams were in 2020, and a 4th team was in the strike-shortened season of 1981. Of the remaining 5 teams, the best record was 90-72, shared by the 2007 Diamondbacks (-20) and the 1997 Giants (-9). Neither team lead the league in wins. Source: MLB.com: Playoff teams with negative run differential __________________

07-18-2022, 08:22 AM	#3
Tinkerman All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 1,939	Thanks, Ozzie. That's more stark than I expected!