TODAY’S SPORTSTAT — Jerry Tapp points out how starting fast is critical for MLB teams

By JERRY TAPP

In less than a week the 2018 MLB regular season begins. Getting off to a good start can be very important for teams looking for success; in fact, just playing .500 or above in April is an important key to possibly making a post-season run and even a World Series title. Consider these three stats:

• Of the eight teams that won the World Series since 2010, seven had a winning percentage above .570 in April the year they won the championship.
• Of the 16 teams that won the A.L. or N.L. pennant since 2010, 14 had an April winning percentage above .500 that season.
• Of the 76 teams that made the playoffs since 2010, 56 of them (just under 74%) had an April winning percentage above .500.

Two teams in particular seem to have this April thing figured out, especially this decade. The New York Yankees are the only team of the 30 MLB teams to have a winning percentage above .500 in seven of the eight Aprils since 2010. Their only sub .500 April this decade was an 8-14 record (.364) in 2016.

(Note: For the sake of this article, regular season games played in March are considered April games.)

Over in the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals have been above .500 in six of the eight Aprils since 2010. Even more impressive is that in the two seasons they were not above .500 this decade, 2016 and 2017, they were 12-12, exactly .500 in those two Aprils.

Here’s a look at how many Aprils each of the 30 MLB teams have been above .500 since 2010.

7: Yankees

6: Cardinals

5: Mets, Nationals, Rangers, Rockies, Royals, Tigers

4: Dodgers, Giants, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox

3: Angels, A’s, Braves, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Indians, Phillies, Pirates, Reds

2: Astros, Brewers, Marlins, Twins, White Sox

1: Blue Jays, Mariners, Padres

For the record, the Yankees have the best April record over the past eight seasons. They were 110-77 (.588) from 2010-17. They are followed by the Cardinals at 114-82 (.582) and the Nationals at 111-86 (.563).

Follow Jerry on Twitter @StatsonTapp