9/20/2021

Create more runs


A team has to score more runs than its opponent to win a baseball game. This season, which teams are leading in creating runs? Are they winning more games than any other team? I went to check on the MLB website. Here’s what I got.

Runs (Team)

~2021.09.19

Team

R

Astros

796

Rays

796

Blue Jays

785

Red Sox

776

Dodgers

757

White Sox

738

Giants

736

Reds

720

Braves

709


By far, the AL West leader Houston Astros already scored nearly 800 runs. In the Astros franchise history, they scored at least 900 runs in a single season twice. The first time was in 2000, the Astros were still in the NL Central. They scored 938 runs and gave up 944 runs, finishing 4th in the division. The second time was in 2019 with 920 runs scored.


The Tampa Bay Rays are currently leading in the AL East and have a great 2021 season. By far, they already scored nearly 800 runs and won 92 games. In the Rays franchise history, they only scored more than 800 runs in a single season twice. The first time was in 2009, they scored 803 runs, but finished 3rd in the AL East. The second time was in 2010, the Rays scored 802 runs and won the AL East. With 4 series remaining in the season, we shall see the Rays set the new records in runs in franchise history. Additionally, we shall see the Rays clinch two consecutive AL East titles for the first time in franchise history.


Another AL East team can score many runs as well. The Toronto Blue Jays are fighting hard for the playoffs. So far, they have already scored 785 runs. The Blue Jays now have two players who collected at least 100 RBI. Teoscar Hernandez has 106 RBI now and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits .321/.411/.617 with 46 home runs and 105 RBI. Moreover, Bo Bichette has 97 RBI now and Marcus Semien has collected 95 RBI. It’s highly possible to see 4 Blue Jays to finish the 2021 season with at least 100 RBI.


The Red Sox used to score 1027 runs in 1950 and that’s the only time that the Red Sox scored more than 1000 runs in a single season in franchise history. This season, they scored 776 runs thus far. After the All-Star break, the Red Sox have scored 312 runs, 3rd  most in the majors. The other two teams that have scored more runs than the Red Sox after the All-Star break are the Rays and the Blue Jays. The AL East is a really tough division, no doubt.


The Dodgers scored 349 runs last season, leading the majors. The defending World Series Champion now has scored 757 runs this season. Even though the Dodgers already won 96 games, they are 2nd in the NL West now. The San Francisco Giants have scored 736 runs and they are enjoying a great season with 97 wins so far. These two teams already clinched playoff spots. However, one of these two great teams will have to play in the wild card game.


Furthermore, three other teams have scored more than 700 runs as well. The AL Central leader, the Chicago White Sox, has scored 738 runs. The Atlanta Braves now lead in the NL East and have scored 709 runs. Moreover, the Reds already scored 720 runs, but they gave up 697 runs. The Reds are still three games behind the Cardinals for the second wild card spot. They definitely don’t have problems at hitting, but there is room for improvement in pitching.

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