The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the heart of the 2025 MLB season as the consensus favorites to win the World Series, aiming for back-to-back championships after their 2024 triumph and seeking a third title in six years following their 2020 victory. Sportsbooks and betting models place the Dodgers in a tier of their own, with odds according to Casino Vegasino sportsbook ranging from +260 to +310, well ahead of the next tier of contenders like the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Despite this, analysts quickly note that the path to another championship is not without obstacles, particularly given the team’s injury woes and some underperforming players.
Comparing 2020, 2024, and 2025 Dodgers: Evolution of a Dynasty
The 2020 Dodgers were a powerhouse in the pandemic-shortened season, finishing 43-17 (.717), leading the majors in runs scored, and posting an MLB-best 3.02 team ERA. That team was defined by a deep, balanced lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, and Justin Turner, and a pitching staff anchored by Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urías. Their World Series win over the Tampa Bay Rays was a culmination of years of postseason frustration, finally breaking through with a dominant, well-rounded roster.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Dodgers again topped the baseball world, defeating the New York Yankees in a dramatic five-game World Series. That squad was notable for its resilience, returning from a five-run deficit in the clinching game—an MLB postseason first—and featured Freddie Freeman’s heroics, including a walk-off grand slam in Game 1. The 2024 Dodgers were stacked with star talent, including Shohei Ohtani, who joined the team as a two-way superstar, and a rotation bolstered by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.
The 2025 roster retains much of that star power, with Ohtani, Freeman, Betts, and Will Smith anchoring the lineup. However, there are notable differences. Injuries have ravaged the pitching staff, with key arms like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and rookie sensation Roki Sasaki all spending time on the injured list. The Dodgers’ offense remains elite, leading MLB in runs (343 in 59 games, 5.8 per game), home runs (95), and team batting average (.269). Shohei Ohtani slashes .288/.386/.653 with 23 home runs and 39 RBI, while Freeman boasts a .369 average and a 1.061 OPS. Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages have provided additional pop, each with double-digit home runs and strong run production.
Yet, the 2025 Dodgers are not as deep or consistently dominant as their 2020 or 2024 counterparts. Max Muncy (.230 average), Tommy Edman (.242), and Michael Conforto (.168) have struggled at the plate, and the bench lacks the proven depth of previous years. Once a strength, the bullpen has been a revolving door due to injuries and inconsistent performance.
What Analysts Say: Trade Deadline Needs
As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, analysts agree that the Dodgers’ most significant need is pitching—specifically, reliable starting pitching to stabilize a battered rotation. Injuries to Snell, Glasnow, and Sasaki have left the staff thin, and while the Dodgers’ offense can outslug most opponents, October baseball demands arms that can neutralize elite lineups. There is growing speculation about a reunion with Walker Buehler, now with the Boston Red Sox, as the ideal move. Buehler’s postseason pedigree—shutout innings against the Mets and Yankees in last year’s playoffs, and closing out the 2024 World Series—makes him a perfect fit for a team built for October, not just the regular season.
The Dodgers’ deep farm system gives them the assets to pursue Buehler or another frontline starter if the Red Sox become sellers. However, Boston’s playoff aspirations may complicate any deal, and the Dodgers have signaled a reluctance to part with top prospects after years of deadline splashes. The front office, led by Andrew Friedman, has shifted toward completing the roster before the season starts, wary of the high cost of deadline rentals in a league where more teams are in contention and fewer are willing to sell.
Beyond pitching, there is a secondary need for a left-handed bat off the bench. Despite a lineup loaded with lefties like Ohtani, Freeman, Muncy, Edman, and Conforto, the Dodgers are “scouring the market” for a depth piece, particularly with Conforto’s struggles and the ever-present risk of injury. The team is not expected to make a splashy move here, instead targeting affordable depth options to round out the roster.
There are also rumors of interest in Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon, whose glove would bolster infield defense, though his bat (.201 average, .691 OPS) is not a clear upgrade. The Dodgers’ bench and bullpen remain works in progress, with open auditions for high-leverage relief roles and a possible need for another infielder or outfielder depending on health and performance.
The Road Ahead: Can the Dodgers Finish the Job?
Despite the injuries and uneven performances, the Dodgers’ statistical profile remains formidable. They have outscored opponents 343-260 through 59 games, boast the league’s best offense, and sit atop the NL West with a 36-22 record. Betting models and sportsbooks give them a 25–30% implied probability to win the World Series, reflecting their talent and the uncertainty of an injury-riddled pitching staff.
The 2025 Dodgers are built to win now, but their margin for error is slimmer than in their previous championship runs. The trade deadline will be pivotal: acquiring a proven starter like Buehler could transform them from favorites with question marks into a juggernaut reminiscent of their 2020 and 2024 teams. If they stand pat or miss out on their top targets, the postseason could expose their vulnerabilities, particularly on the mound.
In sum, the Dodgers remain baseball’s team to beat, but their quest for a third title in six years will hinge on their ability to address pitching depth and bench strength before October. The front office’s moves over the next two months may determine whether this Dodger baseball era cements itself as a true dynasty or falls just short of its lofty expectations.
