The Los Angeles Dodgers are officially in the MLB postseason, clinching the NL West title once again, and are eyeing a ridiculous third straight World Series ring. But let’s be real, this year’s chase is gonna be way tougher than the last two. It’s not just the stacked National League, with teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and even the Philadelphia Phillies looking dangerous. No, the biggest problem is the Dodgers themselves aren’t actually as good as their championship squads. ESPN’s David Schoenfield laid it out flat: this 2026 Dodgers roster is more flawed than both their 2024 and 2025 World Series winners, and it all boils down to Shohei Ohtani’s health and a struggling offense.
The “Most Flawed” Label Is Sticking
It sounds wild to call a team with this kind of payroll and talent “flawed,” especially one making another postseason push. But Schoenfield nailed it, saying, “Bottom line: Even with Yamamoto and Skubal, this looks like the most flawed Dodgers team during this long run of postseason appearances.” That’s a gut punch, right? Ohtani’s arm is a no-go for pitching again this year, and honestly, who knows if he’s even 100% at the plate when he eventually returns from the IL. That’s your best player, folks, not firing on all cylinders. And an MLB insider even dropped a bombshell, accusing Ohtani of misleading the Dodgers about his injury issues. Talk about a curveball! While Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are absolute studs on the mound, the rest of the rotation, including guys like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell, is a bit of a question mark. Plus, the bullpen, with Edwin Diaz and Blake Treinen, has some real concerns. If everyone was clicking, they’d be unstoppable, but there are just too many “ifs” with this pitching staff.
Offense Has Hit a Wall
But the real kicker, the one that truly sets this team apart as “most flawed,” is the offense. It’s been playing below expectations for months now, and you can see why. Andy Pages has been out for a while, Ohtani himself is currently on the IL, and Kyle Tucker has turned into one of the biggest disappointments across all of Major League Baseball. Teoscar Hernandez has been underwhelming, Will Smith has missed a ton of time, and even Freddie Freeman isn’t playing at 100%. This isn’t the worst team the Dodgers have ever taken into October, but it’s definitely the one with the most glaring weak spots to exploit. There are just too many ways for this 2026 squad to drop a postseason series this year.
This isn’t just another postseason run for the Dodgers; it’s a true test of whether a high payroll can overcome fundamental cracks. Can they somehow fix their struggling offense and patchy pitching before the real pressure hits? Their shot at a third straight World Series title hangs in the balance, and if these issues persist, it’s gonna be a short October for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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