Sky-high expectations and defending a World Series title are not new concepts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the 2026 season is the first time the players and the franchise are experiencing the added weight of pursing a three-peat.
In fact, it’s the first time an MLB organization has faced this kind of pressure since the 2000 New York Yankees.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, had never won two consecutive championships until 2025. The closest they came was with their World Series wins in 1963 and 1965.
Even if the team is in uncharted territory, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the vibe in the clubhouse is business as usual.
“I think this is who we are. This is what we expect,” he said. “And I see that in the work each day. Guys are excited to obviously see each other, which every camp is the same way.
“But I think for me, I would expect us to go about each day the same. And I think we’re as good as anyone at doing that while keeping the long-term goal in mind. So honestly, nothing has changed from two years ago to three years ago to last year to this year. I think we’re focused on being as good as we can be each day.”
Over more than a century of history, there have been just four instances of an MLB franchise winning three consecutive titles or more. The Yankees won four consecutive titles from 1936-39, five in a row from 1949-53 and three straight from 1998-00.
The 1972-74 Athletics are the only other franchise to win three consecutive World Series. The Dodgers would be the third organization to join this exclusive list should they achieve their goal in 2026.
Dodgers’ options to replace Tommy Edman at second base
The Dodgers’ title defense will begin without their starting second baseman after Roberts announced on Monday that Tommy Edman is starting the year on the injured list.
Edman is still recovering after undergoing a debridement procedure and ligament repair in the offseason.
The Dodgers’ skipper had four names in mind for the second base position going forward and feels good about someone emerging to hold down the fort while Edman fully recovers.
