Dodgers Eye Historic Three-Peat as Will Smith Sets the Tone for 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t just chasing another championship - they’re hunting history. After back-to-back World Series titles, the goal for 2026 is crystal clear: a three-peat. It’s something no Dodgers team has ever done, and All-Star catcher Will Smith isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“It’s obviously the goal this year, is to win a World Series,” Smith said on MLB Network’s Hot Stove. “That’s our goal every year with the Dodgers.”
That’s not just talk - it’s the mindset of a franchise that’s built a culture of winning and sustained excellence. The Dodgers have been the gold standard in baseball over the last several seasons, and the front office has doubled down this offseason to keep that standard intact.
Two major additions - All-Stars Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker - headline a winter of aggressive moves aimed at keeping the trophy in L.A. But what makes this team especially dangerous is the core that’s already in place.
And at the heart of it is Will Smith.
Will Smith: The Steady Force Behind the Plate
Since being drafted by the Dodgers in 2016, Smith has grown into one of the premier catchers in the game. He made his debut in 2019, and by now, he’s a fixture in the All-Star conversation - earning selections in each of the last three seasons. In 2025, he took another step forward, receiving MVP votes for the first time in his career.
Smith’s numbers last season speak volumes. He posted a career-best .296 batting average, launched 17 home runs, and drove in 61 runs.
His .901 OPS was his highest mark since 2020, and it came with the kind of consistency that managers dream about - he’s played 100 or more games every year since 2021. That kind of production and durability from the catcher position is rare, and it’s a huge part of why the Dodgers are in position to make history.
But Smith’s value goes beyond the box score. He’s a calming presence behind the plate, a leader in the clubhouse, and a trusted partner to one of the most talented pitching staffs in baseball. His ability to manage a game, control the tempo, and handle high-pressure moments has made him one of the most respected backstops in the league.
Can the Dodgers Pull Off the Three-Peat?
There’s no sugarcoating it - three-peats are hard. Incredibly hard. But if any team looks built for it, it’s this one.
The Dodgers didn’t just win the last two titles - they dominated. From the regular season through October, they’ve looked like a team playing chess while others are playing checkers.
And now, they’ve reloaded. Adding a lockdown closer like Edwin Díaz and a dynamic bat like Kyle Tucker to an already loaded roster feels almost unfair.
Then there’s the returning star power: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and of course, Smith. That’s a lineup that can beat you in every way - power, contact, speed, defense, pitching - and they do it with the kind of chemistry and experience that only comes from winning together.
Analytics back up the hype. According to ESPN’s projections, the Dodgers have a 22.4% chance of winning the World Series - the highest of any team heading into the season. That’s not just a nod to their talent; it’s a reflection of how complete this team really is.
The journey begins soon, with their first spring training game set for Saturday, Feb. 21 against the Los Angeles Angels. It’s the first step in what the Dodgers hope will be another unforgettable season - one that ends with a third straight parade down Vin Scully Avenue.
For Will Smith and the Dodgers, the mission is simple: make history. And if the last two years are any indication, they’re more than capable of finishing the job.