The Los Angeles Dodgers are the early favorites to repeat and win the 2025 World Series, with oddsmakers setting their chances at +380. The Dodgers’ front office has aggressively bolstered their roster, particularly their pitching staff, which has become an embarrassment of riches. The addition of Blake Snell on a five-year, $182 million contract has further solidified their rotation, creating a formidable group that includes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
Starting Depth
The Dodgers’ rotation for the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most impressive in recent memory. However, the Dodgers face a unique issue: they probably have too many starting pitchers and may have to move an arm or two to the bullpen. Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, will likely be the Opening Day starter. Over the past seven seasons, Snell has maintained a stellar 3.03 ERA and 1.160 WHIP while striking out 11.8 batters per nine innings. Following Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is poised to build on his impressive rookie campaign in 2024, where he posted a 3.00 ERA and struck out 10.5 batters per nine innings across 18 starts. Tyler Glasnow, who signed a lucrative contract last winter, rounds out a strong top three after going 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA and 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings in 2024.
The back end of the rotation offers intriguing options and potential for the Dodgers. While technically a free agent, Clayton Kershaw is expected to return for another season. Despite some struggles in 2024, Kershaw’s track record and recent All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023 suggest he can still be an effective starter. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, returning from injuries that sidelined them for 2024, have shown promise when healthy. May boasts a career 3.10 ERA and 1.049 WHIP, while Gonsolin has posted a 3.19 ERA and 1.051 WHIP over 375.2 innings from 2019 to 2023. This may mean Walker Buehler won’t be back; however, he’s indicated he wants to stay and would undoubtedly slot in behind Gonsolin as the Dodgers 4th pitching threat.
According to ESPN Bet, this is the fifth straight season that the Dodgers have opened as favorites, and it comes as no surprise, given their pitching depth extends beyond their projected starting five. Despite struggling in 2024, Bobby Miller showed potential as a rookie in 2023 and could bounce back to claim a rotation spot. The team has also re-signed Blake Treinen to a two-year, $22 million contract, bolstering their bullpen options. Treinen’s deal, which includes a $5 million signing bonus and an annual charitable donation, demonstrates the Dodgers’ commitment to maintaining a strong pitching staff from top to bottom.
Flaherty Won’t Be Back
One notable absence from the Dodgers’ plans is Jack Flaherty. After acquiring Flaherty at the trade deadline in 2024, it appears unlikely that he will return to the team for the 2025 season. The wealth of pitching talent already on the roster and the potential additions will likely influence this decision.
Speaking of potential additions, the Dodgers are rumored to be the front-runner for Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. The 23-year-old right-hander is expected to be posted as an amateur international free agent, which would allow the Dodgers to sign him for a relatively modest sum compared to his potential impact. If Los Angeles manages to secure Sasaki’s services, it would add another high-ceiling arm to their already stacked rotation.
One factor that could impact the Dodgers’ rotation plans early in the season is the status of Shohei Ohtani. The two-way superstar is not expected to be ready to pitch at the start of the season due to recent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. However, when healthy, Ohtani adds another dimension to the pitching staff with his career 3.01 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Incredible Depth
The abundance of starting pitching talent allows the Dodgers to consider implementing a six-man rotation, which could help manage workloads and reduce injury risks. This approach could be particularly beneficial given the injury histories of several key pitchers and the team’s desire to avoid the pitching attrition that affected them in previous postseasons.
As the Dodgers look to defend their World Series title, their pitching staff appears to be their greatest strength. The combination of established aces like Snell and Kershaw, emerging stars like Yamamoto and Glasnow, and the potential addition of Sasaki creates a rotation that could dominate throughout the regular season and into October. The depth of talent also provides insurance against injuries and allows for strategic rest and innings management.
The Dodgers’ commitment to building such a formidable pitching staff reflects their determination to establish a lasting dynasty. With two World Series victories in the last five years and a roster built to contend for years, Los Angeles has positioned itself as the team to beat in 2025 and beyond. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how manager Dave Roberts navigates this wealth of pitching talent and whether the Dodgers can translate their on-paper dominance into sustained success on the field.
