The Los Angeles Dodgers made significant additions to their roster during the offseason and now are looking to become the first team to repeat as World Series champions for the first time in more than two decades.
The Dodgers were projected by several models to finish with the best record in baseball this season, and some even think they can challenge for the all-time MLB wins mark.
Despite the overwhelming consensus that the Dodgers could have a historic season, other teams in the National League West still feel good about their chances as well.
Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks believes there is more parity in baseball compared to other sports, no matter how good a team’s roster may be, via Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic:
“I think there’s just a lot of nuances that go on in baseball,” Kelly said. “In the other sports, it’s like, if you have a more talented team in the NFL or purely more talent in the NBA, nine times out of 10 you’re going to beat the other team.”
Randal Grichuk believes the Dodgers are the most talented team but noted any player can have a bad game on any given night:
“Do they have the upper hand on paper going into most series?” Grichuk said of the Dodgers. “I would say yeah. But it’s baseball. Any night anybody might be feeling not like themselves on the mound or in the box and literally anybody has a chance any night.”
Grichuk added that the Dodgers will likely feel more pressure than any other team this season, which is a sentiment Joe Mantiply agreed with:
“Obviously they’re really good players, but there’s pressure that comes with that,” Grichuk said. “They’re expected to win every night. If they go on a four-game losing streak, it’s going to be like everything is going up in flames. Everyone’s going to say, ‘What’s going on?’”
Said Mantiply: “Pressure makes everything a little harder to deal with.”
The Diamondbacks are looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2023, when they won the NL pennant. They narrowly missed the playoffs last year after finishing with an 89-73 record.
Arizona went 6-7 against the Dodgers in 2024 despite outscoring them 86-73 in those head-to-head matchups.
The Diamondbacks bolstered their roster during the offseason by signing the top free-agent starting pitcher in Corbin Burnes and acquiring All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor from the Cleveland Guardians.
Diamondbacks welcome challenge of ‘super talented’ Dodgers
Several members of the Diamondbacks have spoken about being excited to play the Dodgers this season.
The teams will meet for the first time at Chase Field from May 8-11. They are also set to play a three-game series at Dodger Stadium later that month.
As it currently stands, however, both teams are looking up at the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres in the NL West standings.
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