The Los Angeles Dodgers enter the 2025 MLB season with a target on their backs—but that’s nothing new for a franchise built on championship expectations. While the NL West is no cakewalk, with the Arizona Diamondbacks rising and the San Diego Padres remaining competitive, the Dodgers have simply constructed too powerful and balanced a team to bet against. This season, they are built not just to win the West—but to dominate it.

First, let’s talk about the lineup. The Dodgers boast an all-star caliber core in Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani—arguably the most potent trio in baseball. Betts continues to play MVP-level baseball in the leadoff spot, providing a mix of speed, power, and elite defense. Freeman remains one of the most consistent hitters in the league, and Ohtani brings a rare blend of offensive firepower that no other team in the division can match. With Will Smith, Max Muncy, and young contributors like James Outman supporting that core, Los Angeles can outscore anyone on any given night.

Their pitching staff is equally formidable. Despite injuries to key arms in 2024, the Dodgers managed to reinforce their rotation with depth and talent. The acquisition of Roki Saski and the continued emergence of Bobby Miller add to a rotation that includes Yamamoto, one of the biggest international signings of the decade. The bullpen, long a strength of L.A., remains solid.

But beyond talent, what sets the Dodgers apart is organizational excellence. The front office, led by Andrew Friedman, consistently finds value in overlooked players and makes savvy deadline moves. Manager Dave Roberts has postseason experience and knows how to guide this roster through the marathon of the regular season.

While the D-backs and Padres may have their moments, the Dodgers’ depth, star power, and winning culture make them the clear front-runners. Barring catastrophic injuries, they should finish atop the division once again. With a lineup that can mash, a rotation that can dominate, and a front office that knows how to win, it’s hard to see anyone overtaking Los Angeles in the NL West this year.

The crown stays in L.A. in 2025.