The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to set a National League record for consecutive start-of-the-season home victories tonight when they begin a two-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers' 10-0 start at home matches the record set since 1900 by the 1983 Atlanta Braves when they were managed by current Dodger manager Joe Torre, the 1970 Chicago Cubs and 1918 New York Giants, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. A record start at home has not translated into success at the end of the season. None of the three teams the Dodgers share the record with advanced to postseason play.
The American League record is held by the 1911 Detroit Tigers, who won their first 12 home games, but also failed to advance to the postseason.
Torre credited the Dodgers' winning streak to "playing nine innings a day."
"It sounds seems pretty simplistic," Torre said after Sunday's 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. "It's just something. We've had some breaks. There's no question. You can't win a lot of games without getting some breaks. We won a couple of close games the last few days. As beat up as our pitching staff is, guys are stepping up. We've gotten some key hits.'
The Dodgers begin the week with the best record in Major League Baseball, 18-8, and a 4 1/2-game lead over second-place San Francisco in the five-team National League West Division. It's their best record since 1984, when they were also 18-8 after 26 games.
Eric Stults (2-1) is scheduled to be the Dodgers' starting pitcher, opposing Doug Davis (2-3), who was 2-1 against the Dodgers last season.
The Dodgers won two of three games against Arizona April 10-12 in Phoenix, including an 11-2 victory April 11, when Stults started and was credited with the victory, allowing one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The Diamondbacks are 11-14, tied for third with San Diego, 6 1/2 games behind the Dodgers .
Anil Kapoor, who portrayed quiz show host Prem Kumar in the Academy Award-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire," will throw out tonight's ceremonial first pitch. He will be a regular cast member on Fox Broadcasting's "24" next season, playing a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission.
Sharply discounted tickets will be available online at www.Dodgers.com/esavers by inputting the code Russell55. Field level tickets that are usually priced at $60, $75, $110 or $130 will be available for $45.
The same discounts will also be offered for Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals and Saturday's against the San Francisco Giants. Tickets can be purchased online until one hour before the start of the game.
