The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2025 MLB season as the clear favorites to win the World Series, and for good reason. They have already made a strong statement by sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series, with pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki delivering outstanding performances in front of their home crowd.
For over a decade, the Dodgers have been one of the best-run franchises in baseball—arguably even in professional sports. Their ownership group is willing to invest heavily, but they do so strategically, ensuring every move is calculated rather than reckless. Once again, every other team is looking up to the Dodgers, and with the momentum from their 2024 World Series win, they could reach even greater heights this season.
As they return to the U.S. after their successful stint in Japan, here are a few bold predictions for what lies ahead.
Dodgers Will Win 110+ Games
Predicting any team to win more than 110 games is a bold claim—only seven teams in MLB history have reached that milestone. It’s also not necessarily a guarantee of postseason success, as only three of those teams went on to win the World Series. However, given the depth and star power on the Dodgers’ roster, they have a real shot at pulling it off.
They already dominated the Cubs without key players like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Additionally, their farm system remains strong, with promising prospects such as Dalton Rushing ready to step up if injuries strike.
Still, the Dodgers must be wary of history repeating itself. In 2022, they won 111 games but were eliminated in the NLDS by the San Diego Padres. This time around, they are determined to avoid past mistakes and ensure their regular-season success translates into playoff dominance.
Shohei Ohtani’s Role on the Mound Will Be Limited
Shohei Ohtani is a generational talent, excelling as both a hitter and a pitcher—something rarely seen since Babe Ruth’s era. However, he hasn’t pitched since 2023 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.
The Dodgers plan to have Ohtani return to pitching in 2025, potentially making a few starts beginning in May. But with the team’s deep rotation—including Blake Snell, Yamamoto, Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow—it’s unlikely he will be heavily relied upon as a starter. Instead, the Dodgers may use him strategically to preserve his health and maximize his overall impact.
A Perfect Postseason?
Since the introduction of the three-round playoff format, no team has ever gone undefeated in the postseason. The last time it happened was in 1976, when the Cincinnati Reds swept through the playoffs.
If any team can achieve this near-impossible feat, it’s the 2025 Dodgers. While they have a history of postseason struggles, this could be the year they put it all together—winning 110+ games in the regular season and going unbeaten in the playoffs.
Such dominance would likely spark debate about whether there should be spending limits in MLB, but the reality is that the Dodgers are simply playing within the same rules as everyone else. If other teams want to keep up, they’ll have to find ways to match the Dodgers’ blend of financial power and smart decision-making.
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