How playoff teams with fewest wins have fared (2024)

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Not that it made any difference: The 101-win defending NL champion Braves swept them in the NLDS.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"1997-09-26T00:05:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2011/12/16/mlbtv_chnhou_20031995_3gpp_h264_128K.3gp","type":"video","description":"9/25/97: Mike Hampton gets Sammy Sosa to ground out to finish his complete-game win and clinch the NL Central for the Astros","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:27","slug":"astros-clinch-nl-central-c20031995","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-117","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 117","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-115399","title":"Mike Hampton","person":{"__ref":"Person:115399"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-117","title":"Houston Astros","team":{"__ref":"Team:117"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-117","title":"HBmig 117","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-112","title":"HBmig away_team_id: 112","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"classic","title":"classic","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/uvnvifqz5ynnwhkj0gyr"},"title":"Astros clinch NL Central","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/astros-clinch-nl-central-c20031995"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**3-T) 2008 Dodgers (84-78, .519)** \n_Regular season: Won NL West_ \n_Postseason: Lost in NLCS (4-1 to Phillies)_\n\nThis was the \"Mannywood\" year. The Dodgers acquired Manny Ramirez at the Trade Deadline, and he went absolutely bonkers. His slash line in 53 games with the Dodgers: .396/.489/.743. That was enough to sneak the Dodgers into the playoffs, by two games over the D-backs. They didn't stop there, sweeping the Cubs in the NLDS for their first postseason series victory since winning the 1988 World Series, before the run ended against the eventual champion Phillies. Fun facts with this team: Joe Torre was the manager, and a 20-year-old left-hander named Clayton Kershaw was a rookie who pitched out of the bullpen in October.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2008-08-02T22:10:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://rtsp://a1847.v108699.c10869.g.vq.akamaistream.net/7/1847/10869/v0001/mlb2003.download.akamai.com/10869/2008/open/mlbam/2008/08/02/rth_arilad_986616_3gpp_mp4_128K.3gp","type":"video","description":"8/2/08: Manny Ramirez gives the Dodgers an early two-run lead with his first home run as a Dodger","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:06","slug":"ramirez-s-first-dodger-homer-c3244668","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-119","title":"Los Angeles Dodgers","team":{"__ref":"Team:119"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-119","title":"HBmig 119","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-120903","title":"Manny Ramirez","person":{"__ref":"Person:120903"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-119","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 119","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"classic","title":"classic","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"milestone","title":"milestone","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"vin-scully","title":"Vin Scully","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/xvdjqghams2yqajhezrf"},"title":"Ramirez's first Dodger homer","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/ramirez-s-first-dodger-homer-c3244668"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**3-T) 2023 D-backs (84-78, .519)** \n_Regular season: Won 3rd NL Wild Card spot_ \n_Postseason: Lost in World Series (4-1 to Rangers)_\n\nIt was an improbable World Series run for the upstart D-backs, who lost the Fall Classic in five games against the Rangers. Both teams made jumps from 100-loss seasons in 2021 to the '23 World Series in record time, making for one of the most unlikely matchups in recent years. While the D-backs ultimately fell in their first World Series appearance since winning in 2001, it was an incredible run that few people saw coming.\n\nAfter sweeping their way through the first two rounds against the Brewers and Dodgers, Arizona fell behind 2-0 in the NLCS against Philadelphia before coming back to win the series in seven games. The D-backs made it to Game 5 of the World Series before their magical season ended against Texas. Backed by strong pitching and an exciting offense featuring blazing speed, the D-backs made for an epic title push.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-10-25T03:23:17.12Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-10/24/a6e06c21-adab3215-55daf72e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Paul Sewald induces a flyout from Jake Cave to earn the save and send the D-backs to the World Series for the first time since 2001","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:47","slug":"paul-sewald-in-play-out-s-to-jake-cave","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023","type":"season"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-109","title":"Arizona Diamondbacks","team":{"__ref":"Team:109"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-623149","title":"Paul Sewald","person":{"__ref":"Person:623149"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"clincher","title":"clincher","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"final-play","title":"final play","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"alexa","title":"alexa","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/cv9mfqhy5abxaquyt8bo"},"title":"D-backs advance to World Series","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/paul-sewald-in-play-out-s-to-jake-cave"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**3-T) 2023 Marlins (84-78, .519)** \n_Regular season: Won 2nd NL Wild Card spot_ \n_Postseason: Lost Wild Card Series (2-0 to Phillies)_\n\nThe Marlins were outscored by 57 runs in the regular season, giving them the lowest run differential of any team to ever make the playoffs. How did this unlikely playoff team pull it off? Going 33-14 in one-run games and 7-3 in extra innings meant the Marlins were winning the important and close games all season. However, the luck ran out when the Marlins were swept by the Phillies in the Wild Card Series in a pair of games decided by a combined 11-2 margin.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**2) 2006 Cardinals (83-78, .516)** \n_Regular season: Won NL Central_ \n_Postseason: Won World Series (4-1 over Tigers)_\n\nIt is worth noting that this team -- which had the fewest wins of any full-season World Series champion --- was looking just fine in mid-September, 11 games over .500. Not great, but certainly worthy of a playoff spot. They then lost seven in a row and nearly blew their division lead. They recovered just in time to limp into the playoffs, where they beat the Padres in the NLDS and then came out on top against a terrific Mets team in an epic NLCS. The Tigers famously fumbled all over themselves in the World Series -- pitchers made throwing errors in every single game -- and the Cardinals had their first title since 1982.\n\nThey are still used as a cautionary tale, but also a hopeful one: If those 83-win Cardinals can win a World Series, any playoff team can do the same.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2006-10-28T00:00:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2015/09/29/mlbtv_detsln_7143419_3gpp_128K.3gp","type":"video","description":"Adam Wainwright pitches a scoreless ninth inning for the save, giving the Cardinals their 10th World Series victory in five games","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:44","slug":"wainwright-closes-out-series-c7143419","tags":[{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-425794","title":"Adam Wainwright","person":{"__ref":"Person:425794"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-combined-media-state-media-on","title":"HBmig MEDIA_ON","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals","team":{"__ref":"Team:138"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-138","title":"HBmig 138","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-138","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 138","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"world-series","title":"World Series","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"final-play","title":"final play","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"classic","title":"classic","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"postseason","title":"postseason","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/eootfgmmsezcdloveg4x"},"title":"Cardinals win 2006 World Series","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/wainwright-closes-out-series-c7143419"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**1) 2005 Padres (82-80, .506)** \n_Regular season: Won NL West_ \n_Postseason: Lost in NLDS (3-0 to Cardinals)_\n\nOther teams on this list were probably a little better than their record. The Padres were worse; their Pythagorean record was 77-85, and they only had one above-average starting pitcher (Jake Peavy). But the rest of the division was worse, much worse: Not only were there no other .500 teams in the NL West, no one even got to 78 wins. The Padres were promptly swept out of the playoffs, getting outscored 21-11 in three games.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2005-09-29T02:05:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2017/01/07/1218701283/1483748444393/asset_450K.mp4","type":"video","description":"9/28/05: Trevor Hoffman gets the final out of the game to clinch the NL West for the San Diego Padres","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:01:37","slug":"padres-clinch-nl-west-c1218701283","tags":[{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-116034","title":"Trevor Hoffman","person":{"__ref":"Person:116034"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-137","title":"HBmig Seattle Mariners","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-135","title":"San Diego Padres","team":{"__ref":"Team:135"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-135","title":"HBmig San Diego Padres","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-135","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 135","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"classic","title":"classic","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/nzcn3pitqdyq0fhopgg0"},"title":"Padres clinch NL West","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/padres-clinch-nl-west-c1218701283"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/mlb-teams-worst-records-in-postseason","contentType":"news","subHeadline":"","summary":"The Braves, Dodgers, Orioles and Rays all stormed into the 2023 postseason after winning at least 99 regular season games. Not every playoff team boasted such an impressive record, though.\nThe Marlins captured the No. 5 NL seed at 84-78 (.519) and held the tiebreaker against the D-backs, who captured","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":null,"tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"},{"__typename":"ContributorTag","slug":"will-leitch","title":"Will Leitch","type":"contributor"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"rankings","title":"Rankings","type":"taxonomy"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/gf9szuobbpa8drtlmvsd","title":"MLB teams with worst records to make playoffs"}},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","id":142},"Person:120971":{"__typename":"Person","id":120971},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","id":112},"Person:133380":{"__typename":"Person","id":133380},"Person:115399":{"__typename":"Person","id":115399},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","id":117},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","id":119},"Person:120903":{"__typename":"Person","id":120903},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","id":109},"Person:623149":{"__typename":"Person","id":623149},"Person:425794":{"__typename":"Person","id":425794},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","id":138},"Person:116034":{"__typename":"Person","id":116034},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","id":135}}} window.adobeAnalytics = {"reportingSuiteId":"mlbglobal08,mlbcom08","linkInternalFilters":"mlb"} window.globalState = {"tracking_title":"Major League Baseball","lang":"en"} window.appId = '' /*-->*/