The Dodgers are closing in on a franchise record for strikeouts by their pitchers for a fifth straight season, part of a growing trend across baseball.
In 2016, the Dodgers set a major league record with 1,510 strikeouts from their pitching staff, 60 more than the previous record, held by the 2014 Indians. This year, with 12 games still remaining, the Dodgers have 1,439 strikeouts, on pace to pass that on the upcoming homestand.
But they are not alone. The Dodgers lead the National League in strikeouts in 2017 — the fifth straight season they have ranked first or second in the NL — but four American League teams have more, with Cleveland pacing MLB with 1,483 punch outs.