The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t just survive another October challenge — they’ve reasserted themselves as the team to beat. According to ESPN’s panel of MLB experts, Los Angeles earned 10 votes to win the 2025 World Series, the most of any team, reflecting a growing belief that this year’s Dodgers are not only talented but historically balanced.
Their case starts with the rotation. Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow have formed a four-headed monster, with Jeff Passan noting the group “might make a case for the best a team has ever fielded this time of year.” When your No. 4 starter is a Cy Young–level arm, it’s not hyperbole. That depth has made Los Angeles almost impossible to game-plan against, especially after they quieted the Phillies’ powerful lineup in the NLDS.
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Dodgers Picked As The Team To Beat Despite Big Challenges
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But as ESPN’s Jesse Rogers pointed out, the real story might soon shift to Ohtani. He’s hitting just .148 this postseason, yet several analysts predict he’ll “get hot” in the NLCS. Given how the Dodgers have advanced despite minimal production from Ohtani and Mookie Betts, his awakening would tilt the balance of power even further in their favor.
That’s the thing about these Dodgers — even their flaws are temporary. Dave Roberts has solved the closer issue with rookie phenom Roki Sasaki, and right-hander Emmet Sheehan is emerging as a trusted bridge in late innings. What was once seen as bullpen instability is quickly morphing into another organizational strength.
The Brewers, meanwhile, have earned respect for their resilience and elite bullpen, but as David Schoenfield noted, they simply haven’t faced a rotation like this. Milwaukee’s offense thrives on contact and execution, but the Dodgers feast on mistakes — and in a seven-game series, small cracks often turn into avalanches.
ESPN’s panel has seen enough to go nearly all-in on Los Angeles. The Dodgers may have spent their way to this moment, but they’ve also drafted, developed, and adjusted like few others. After years of near-misses and heartbreak, the machine appears perfectly tuned.
The prediction isn’t bold — it’s logical. The Dodgers aren’t just the favorites to win the 2025 World Series. They might be the only team capable of stopping themselves.