Getting a quick leap – by G. Scott Thomas

No person desires to start a yr the way in which the Baltimore Orioles did in 1988 — losing their first 21 games — however a fast begin actually isn’t necessary, is it? The season is a prolonged grind. What distinction may a few dangerous weeks in April make?

Fairly a distinction, it seems.

Check out final yr — particularly, the primary 18 video games of 2022. I decide that quantity as a result of it divides properly into the season as an entire, representing exactly one-ninth of your entire schedule.

Consider it this manner: If we have been to view the full season as a single nine-inning contest, the primary ninth (that’s, the primary 18 video games) could be the equal of the primary inning.

Groups regularly battle again to win after falling behind within the opening inning, after all, nevertheless it’s clearly higher to leap out on high. The identical holds true with the lengthy season. A robust begin within the first 18 video games often pays dividends in October.

4 of final yr’s 12 playoff groups received no less than a dozen of their first 18 video games. One other three playoff-bound golf equipment went 11-7. Solely three of the groups that made the postseason have been beneath .500 on the 18-game mark.

The 30 big-league golf equipment are cut up into 5 classes beneath, based mostly on their 18-game begins in 2022. Full-season averages of wins and losses are proven for every group, together with lists of playoff qualifiers and non-qualifiers.

The lesson — with 2023’s opening day a bit greater than 48 hours away — is related to every body. It clearly pays to begin profitable as quickly as potential.

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• Groups in 2022: 5

• Common full-season file: 96.8 wins, 65.2 losses

• Certified for playoffs: 4

• Qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): New York Mets (13-5), Los Angeles Dodgers (12-6), New York Yankees (12-6), Toronto Blue Jays (12-6)

• Didn’t qualify for playoffs: 1

• Non-qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): San Francisco Giants (13-5)

• Groups in 2022: 5

• Common full-season file: 86.2 wins, 75.8 losses

• Certified for playoffs (with 18-game file): 3

• Qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): San Diego Padres (11-7), Seattle Mariners (11-7), St. Louis Cardinals (11-7)

• Didn’t qualify for playoffs: 2

• Non-qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): Los Angeles Angels (11-7), Milwaukee Brewers (11-7)

• Groups in 2022: 10

• Common full-season file: 79.1 wins, 82.9 losses

• Certified for playoffs (with 18-game file): 4

• Qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): Tampa Bay Rays (10-8), Houston Astros (9-9), Atlanta Braves (8-10), Philadelphia Phillies (8-10)

• Didn’t qualify for playoffs: 6

• Non-qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): Colorado Rockies (10-8), Miami Marlins (10-8), Minnesota Twins (10-8), Oakland Athletics (9-9), Chicago Cubs (8-10), Pittsburgh Pirates (8-10)

• Groups in 2022: 5

• Common full-season file: 78.0 wins, 84.0 losses

• Certified for playoffs (with 18-game file): 1

• Qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): Cleveland Guardians (7-11)

• Didn’t qualify for playoffs: 4

• Non-qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): Arizona Diamondbacks (7-11), Boston Crimson Sox (7-11), Chicago White Sox (7-11), Kansas Metropolis Royals (7-11)

• Groups in 2022: 5

• Common full-season file: 66.8 wins, 95.2 losses

• Certified for playoffs (with 18-game file): 0

• Qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): (none)

• Didn’t qualify for playoffs: 5

• Non-qualifiers (18-game file in parentheses): Baltimore Orioles (6-12), Detroit Tigers (6-12), Texas Rangers (6-12), Washington Nationals (6-12), Cincinnati Reds (3-15)