Here's where the Los Angeles Dodgers rank in the National League in various hitting categories as a team right now:
| Batting Average | 10th | (.262) |
| Home Runs | 10th | (39) |
| Slugging Percentage | 11th | (.415) |
These rankings are not surprising, given that the Dodgers play in the second worst hitter's park in baseball (according to the park index for Dodger Stadium over the last three years in The Bill James Handbook 2006.)
What is surprising is that the Dodgers rank second in runs scored in the National League. Are they doing it with mirrors? Nope. They're doing it with walks. The Dodgers lead all of baseball (tied with the Boston Red Sox) with 181 bases on balls taken thus far this year. They also lead baseball with 41 stolen bases, but the walks are a much more important factor.
The Kansas City Royals rank last in walks in the American League, and rank last in runs scored as well. The Chicago Cubs rank last in walks in the National League, and rank last in runs scored as well. Hmm, seems to be a pattern, doesn't it?