The Dodgers are entering the 2026 season with a roster that’s the envy of the league, featuring the remarkable two-way talent of Shohei Ohtani. Their lineup is a perfect blend of power and consistency, backed by elite defenders and a deep starting rotation. Former MLB GM Jim Bowden has even crowned their starting five as the best in the league.
Leading this formidable rotation are four potential aces: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Ohtani himself. While they boast an impressive array of talent, there’s a hint of fragility with only Yamamoto logging over 95 innings last season. Yet, the potential for dominance is undeniable.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies find themselves at the other end of the spectrum. Bowden ranks their starting rotation as the league's weakest.
They’re set to kick off the season with Kyle Freeland, 32, as their ace, and Chase Dollander, 24, as their sole major-league-ready prospect. The rest of the rotation-Michael Lorenzen, 34, Jose Quintana, 37, and Tomoyuki Sugano, 36-are more stopgap solutions than long-term answers.
With Coors Field’s hitter-friendly conditions, their 5.97 ERA from last season isn’t likely to see much improvement without significant changes.
Over in Washington, the Nationals are looking for more than just a fresh look from Cade Cavalli and his new handlebar mustache. They need Cavalli to harness his 100-mph fastball with precision and hope that veterans Miles Mikolas and Zack Littell contribute beyond just personality. After posting a 5.35 ERA, second-worst in 2025, there’s a steep hill to climb in 2026.
While the Dodgers appear poised for a strong season, the Rockies and Nationals face uphill battles, needing substantial improvements to compete at a higher level.