Somehow, we're just three weeks away from the start of the 2026Major League Baseballseason, and there's one team dominating conversation around the sport.
After years of futility in the playoffs and World Series, theLos Angeles Dodgershave won back-to-back championships, along with the 2020 title during the lockdown-shortened season. Then, in the 2025-2026 offseason, they went out and signed the best available free agent hitter, Kyle Tucker, to fill a gap in the outfield.
Despite outlasting theToronto Blue Jaysin seven games, their biggest weakness during last year's postseason run was the bullpen. So they went and grabbed closer Edwin Diaz away from theNew York Metsto supplant relievers like Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Alex Vesia.
All of this has led to an increased likelihood of a lockout, as owners push for a salary cap. And it's made LA baseball's biggest villain, in a way no team has been since the late 1990'sNew York Yankees. But all those off-field issues ignore the most important question as the regular season gets underway: how likely is it that they're able to make it three in a row? Well, according to top baseball writer Jeff Passan, as likely as it gets.
Shohei Ohtani holding a bat during a home game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images)
Passan was asked"what stands out" to him about the Dodgers heading into 2026, and was effusive in his praise.
"They have won two straight World Series. They are bringing back their catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, left fielder, center fielder. They signed their right fielder for $60 million a year in Kyle Tucker, and brought in arguably the best closer in baseball in Edwin Diaz," Passan said. "So the Dodgers are kinda doing something right here, and look, I've been covering baseball for almost 25 years now. I don't know that there has been a team that I've covered that has been as distinct of a favorite to win the World Series as the Dodgers are this year."
Passan explained that their depth is one of the most impressive parts of the team's roster construction. "Even though Blake Snell is probably not going to start the season in the rotation, you can look at a guy like River Ryan coming back from elbow surgery, able to step right in…Justin Wrobelski. They are talented, they are lethal, and they are deep. And it's a crazy combination when you see what the Dodgers have."
Doesn't get much more clear than that. But is Passan right?
First, it's important to note that some of the reasons for the Dodgers' dominance are those exact unheralded players Passan highlights. Yes, their top end talent is extremely expensive, and obviously extraordinarily talented. But a few top level stars isn't enough to win a World Series. Look at the 2023San Diego Padres, for example. That team had Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Gary Sanchez, Jake Cronenworth and Ha-Seong Kim. The rotation was led by Blake Snell, who won the Cy Young that season, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Michael Wacha, and Seth Lugo. Josh Hader was the closer, and turned in a 1.28 ERA while striking out 85 hitters in 56.1 innings.
Source: The Latest & Most Breaking News With OutKick
