"All major league teams are chasing the LA Dodgers. But that competition is even more important in the National League."
Can the LA Dodgers win a third straight World Series in 2026? They addressed a shaky bullpen during the offseason and made the lineup even stronger. Is there a team that can challenge the 'defending champion' Dodgers?
MLB.com examined the Dodgers' offseason, saying, "A team that won the World Series two years in a row is by no means an easy opponent. Some predicted the Dodgers would have a relatively quiet winter, but they actually bolstered their roster by acquiring one of the top position players, outfielder Kyle Tucker, and one of the league's best closers, Edwin Díaz."
MLB.com then looked at teams in the National League that could stand up to the Dodgers.
MLB.com said, "The Dodgers are not the only dominant team in the National League. During this offseason, the league's best teams worked to get to the top. We examine the National League teams most likely to topple the Dodgers in order of likelihood," and listed the New York Mets first, the Atlanta Braves second, and the Philadelphia Phillies third.
About the Mets, MLB.com said, "Some may object to listing the Mets as the No. 1 challenger to the Dodgers given their disappointing performance that failed to reach the postseason last year. It was an abysmal showing from a talented team, but now, with about 30% of the roster reworked, no one can objectively refuse to call the Mets once again one of the most talented teams in major league baseball."
About Atlanta, ranked second, it said, "Placing a disappointing team from the National League East above the division champion (the Philadelphia Phillies) may raise eyebrows," and added, "The 2025 problem was an inability to keep core players consistently available. In particular, in the starting rotation, Chris Sale and Spencer Schwellenbach spent extended time on the injured list, and Reynaldo López had shoulder surgery after just one start. Spencer Strider returned from Tommy John surgery but did not show his former form," pointing to pitching staff issues.
Atlanta's problems last year were more than a few. MLB.com recalled, "Offensively, Austin Riley had a season marred by injuries, and before Ronald Acuña Jr. even returned from left knee surgery, Atlanta's playoff hopes were effectively over." It therefore emphasized, "To rank Atlanta this high requires belief that the roster's health will improve." There were many injured players last year, and because most are returning this year, the expectation is for better results.
About the third-ranked Philadelphia, it said, "They could be placed first or second," adding, "We did not because the offseason was disappointing." There are several uncertainties, including whether ace Zack Wheeler will rebound and signs of aging, but "they remain a team with enormous talent. And there's not much time left to prove it. They are expected to participate in the upper-tier National League race again this year," it noted.
It then listed the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, the San Diego Padres, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the San Francisco Giants were assessed as teams with similar strength. "There is no predictive system that forecasts any of these three teams will overtake the Dodgers and win the National League West," it said.
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