Most Combined RBIs in MLB by Both Teams

RBIs are not the best way to evaluate the performance of a player, but they are still an interesting statistic and a popular market in MLB odds. The games with the most combined RBIs have been packed with offence, and there is inevitably some overlap with the highest-scoring MLB games of all time. 

Players are usually credited with an RBI when their plate appearance results in a run being scored. The only exceptions are when the run scores on an error or when the hitter grounds into a double play. 

Most Combined RBIs in MLB by Both Teams

1. Phillies vs. Cubs – 45 RBIs

The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs 23-22 in 10 innings at Wrigley Field in 1979. Mike Schmidt homered twice for the Phils, including the game-winning bomb off Cubs closer Bruce Sutter in extra innings. Dave Kingman achieved the rare, unwanted feat of hitting three homers in a losing cause.

Bill Buckner actually had the most RBIs in the game, with seven. Kingman finished with six. Four Phillies had four or more RBIs, with Bob Boone registering five. 

Despite this remarkable offensive performance, Schmidt was the only Philadelphia hitter to finish the season with more than 81 RBIs. His 114 RBIs were the third-most in the National League. 

2. Phillies vs. Cubs – 43 RBIs

Playing at Cubs Park in 1922, it was again the Phillies and Cubs combining for a historic number of RBIs. The Cubs won 26-23 on this occasion, but the teams had a total of nine errors, which kept the RBI total down to 43.

Only three homers were hit on the day. There were 11 doubles and two triples, along with 21 total walks. It was a rough day to be a pitcher. 

The RBIs were spread out relatively evenly through the two lineups, with Hack Miller and Charlie Hollocher being the only players to record more than four. 

3. Marlins vs. Braves – 37 RBIs

Baseball odds priced the Atlanta Braves among the World Series favourites ahead of the shortened 2020 season. Atlanta was a few games above .500 when they faced the Miami Marlins in September. Playing at Truist Park, they delivered a historic offensive outburst featuring 28 RBIs.

Braves up 29-9 on the Marlins right now.

Some tie-ins with *the* high-scoring game that everyone is thinking of…

In the Rangers' 30-3 win over the Orioles on Aug. 22, 2007:

– Nick Markakis was on BAL (now on ATL)
– Ron Washington was managing TEX (now ATL third base coach)

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 10, 2020

Those who opted to bet online and back the over didn’t have to wait long. There were a total of 13 runs scored by the end of the second inning, with the Braves scoring 11 in the bottom of the second. 

Starters Pablo López and Jordan Yamamoto conceded 20 runs over just 4.1 innings. Alex Vesia and Josh Smith then allowed five and four runs, respectively.

Adam Duvall was the star of the day with three homers and nine RBIs. Duvall hit a grand slam in the seventh inning and took Yamamoto deep twice. Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman combined for 11 RBIs from the top two spots in Atlanta’s lineup. 

T-4. Reds vs. Rockies – 35 RBIs

Coors Field is no stranger to hitting records. In 1999, the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies combined for 35 RBIs in the Reds’ 24-12 win in Denver. Sean Casey and Jeffrey Hammonds combined for five homers and 11 RBIs to lead the Reds’ output.

Three players went yard for the Rockies. Dante Bichette led the way with five RBIs, and he finished the season with 133, good for fourth in the National League.

Both starting pitchers struggled. Cincinnati’s Denny Neagle lasted just 1.2 innings, while Colorado’s Brian Bohanon gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs. 

T-4. Red Sox vs. Athletics – 35 RBIs 

Shibe Park hosted the Boston Red Sox beating the Philadelphia Athletics 22-14 in 1950. Ted Williams hit the only home run of the game en route to six RBIs.

Even in an eight-run loss, eight different Athletics recorded an RBI. Matt Batts, a catcher with a .592 OPS at the time, had four RBIs. Hall of Famer Bobby Doer had three RBIs. 

This game reflected the chasm between the two teams in 1950. Boston won 94 games, as each player in the starting lineup posted an above-average OPS for the season. Meanwhile, Philadelphia lost 102 games, and the pitching staff posted some pretty ugly numbers.