After winning the 2024 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for another deep postseason run, with Opening Day marking the start of their journey. With a roster strengthened by the addition of stars like Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell, expectations are through the roof. However, manager Dave Roberts has made it clear what path the team must take to repeat as World Series champions in 2025.
His message, though brief, reflects the harsh reality of October baseball, where talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Roberts, mindful of past disappointments, stresses the importance of advancing past the first round of the playoffs—an obstacle that has plagued the team in recent years.
“We have to get to the second round,” Roberts said, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This simple yet pointed statement highlights the Dodgers’ urgency to break free from a troubling pattern. In both 2022 and 2023, despite strong regular-season performances, the team was eliminated in the first round by the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, respectively.
Dodgers prepare for another potential World Series race
Barring an unexpected twist, the Dodgers are expected to make the postseason. In fact, it would be surprising if they didn’t win the NL West. Los Angeles will likely also have home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
It goes without saying, but the Dodgers will be one of the most intriguing MLB teams to follow throughout the season. Los Angeles will play the Detroit Tigers at home on Thursday night, and all eyes will be on how the team handles pressure and whether they can convert their regular-season dominance into postseason success.
Dodgers: The challenge of repeating
Repeating as World Series champions is a monumental task in baseball. The Dodgers, with their star-studded roster, understand that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success.
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Dave Roberts’ statement underscores the importance of getting past the first round of the playoffs, a critical step toward achieving their goal. The team’s ability to maintain intensity and focus during the postseason will ultimately determine their fate in the MLB.