The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the gold standard in Major League Baseball for over a decade, and if the latest projections are any indication, that run of excellence isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
According to ESPN’s model, the Dodgers enter the 2026 season with a 22.2% chance to win the World Series - the highest in baseball by a wide margin. That number is more than double the odds of the next closest contender, the Atlanta Braves, who sit at 10.2%.
And when it comes to simply making the postseason? The Dodgers are practically penciled in, with a 95.3% chance of extending their playoff streak to 14 consecutive seasons.
That kind of sustained success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of elite talent, smart roster construction, and a front office that knows when to make a splash - and when to wait for the right moment to strike.
This winter, the Dodgers made a significant move by signing closer Edwin Díaz in free agency, shoring up the back end of a pitching staff that already projects as the best in baseball. And while they haven’t overhauled the roster, they’ve made enough strategic additions around the edges to keep their depth intact.
Right now, they’re projected to have the No. 2 offense in MLB and the top-ranked pitching staff - both in the rotation and the bullpen. That’s a scary combination for the rest of the league.
Offensively, the Dodgers were a juggernaut last season, leading the National League in wRC+ with a mark of 113 - second in all of baseball behind only the Yankees. Their lineup is deep, disciplined, and powerful, capable of grinding down opposing pitchers night after night. On the mound, they weren’t far behind either, finishing second in team fWAR to the Phillies, a testament to both their rotation strength and bullpen reliability.
But as dominant as they are, there’s still room for this team to get even better.
One area to watch is the age of their position player group, which currently ranks as the oldest in the majors. Injecting some youth and athleticism could go a long way in keeping the roster fresh and dynamic over the course of a 162-game grind.
That’s where players like Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim come into play. If either - or both - are ready to take on expanded roles, it could provide the Dodgers with a much-needed boost of speed and versatility.
And then there’s Kyle Tucker.
The Dodgers landed the All-Star outfielder on a four-year, $240 million deal, instantly upgrading their outfield with one of the game’s most well-rounded players. Tucker brings power, plate discipline, and sneaky base-running value - exactly the kind of modern offensive profile that fits seamlessly into the Dodgers’ approach. His addition not only strengthens the lineup but also adds a bit more youth and athleticism to a veteran-heavy roster.
If there’s still a move to be made, it might involve finding a new home for Teoscar Hernández. While he’s a proven bat, the Dodgers could look to open up more playing time for younger, more dynamic options - especially if they’re serious about rebalancing the age and athleticism on the roster.
But even as they fine-tune, the big picture remains clear: the Dodgers are once again positioned as the team to beat. They’ve got the bats.
They’ve got the arms. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve got a front office that knows how to keep the machine running - and evolving.
If you’re looking for a blueprint on how to build a perennial contender, look no further than Los Angeles. The Dodgers aren’t just trying to win now - they’re setting themselves up to keep winning for years to come.