The 2026 regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers is shaping up to be a pivotal period, with the team's identity firmly established as the "bad guys" of Major League Baseball. This persona, embraced by the marketing team and players alike, sets the stage for a season filled with challenges and opportunities. As the Dodgers prepare for their upcoming campaign, several key themes will define their journey towards October glory.
Breaking Records, Ignoring Outside Noise
The Dodgers' primary focus is not on breaking the regular-season wins record, which would surpass the 1906 Chicago Cubs and the 2001 Seattle Mariners. Instead, they are hyper-focused on securing home-field advantage and avoiding the three-game series that could derail their championship aspirations. Last year's championship team won 93 regular-season games, and the Dodgers are determined to avoid the disappointment of previous seasons, where dominant summers ended in disappointing autumns.
"Anything's possible, but that's not our north star," says Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The team's ultimate goal is a third straight championship, and they believe their best path is to secure home-field advantage and earn a first-round bye. This approach reflects a strategic shift, prioritizing long-term success over short-term wins.
Pitching Depth and Injury Prevention
The Dodgers' organizational ethos is centered around pitching depth and injury prevention. With a history of pitchers being susceptible to injuries, the team has become methodical in the rehab process, often giving them more time than needed to ensure they return to full health. This approach was evident in 2024 and 2025, where the Dodgers set a franchise record by using 40 players to pitch. The team's goal is to make sure that when pitchers return, they don't get hurt again, as seen with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani.
"Going through a situation for guys to come back and either not be themselves or suffer injury spoke loudly," says Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. The team's strategy involves building out the foundational steps in the rehab process to come back and stay back, even if it's far from an exact science.
Load Management for an Aging Lineup
The Dodgers' lineup is aging, with an average age of 31.3, the highest in the majors. Keeping superstars like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts fresh is critical to the team's chances of three-peating and extending their contention window. Freeman, now in his age-36 season, is adamant about playing every day, while Betts, 33, plays the second-most physically demanding position on the field. The designated hitter is not an option to ease their workloads.
"So much of that is going to show itself in terms of how guys are moving, whether they're going to be able to stay in their legs when they're hitting," says Friedman. The team is strategically planning additional off-days for Freeman and Betts, focusing on their movement and ability to stay in their legs when hitting. This approach reflects a commitment to player health and longevity.
Ohtani's Cy Young Ambitions
Shohei Ohtani's readiness to be a traditional starting pitcher is a topic of interest. Despite not pitching in his first spring training game until March 18, he is already a full-fledged member of the rotation. The Dodgers are opening this season with seven Thursday off-days in nine weeks to give Ohtani additional time between starts. Ohtani's second pitching start is expected to come on Wednesday, at which point he'll take the mound on seven days' rest.
"The desire is high, and I think it's realistic," says Roberts of Ohtani going wire-to-wire as a starting pitcher. The team's strategy involves maximizing Ohtani's time between starts, which is made easier by the Dodgers' pitching depth. The additional rest will be baked in, at least while it's feasible, as the team prioritizes Ohtani's health and performance.
In conclusion, the 2026 regular season for the Los Angeles Dodgers is a pivotal period, with the team's identity, pitching depth, load management, and Ohtani's Cy Young ambitions all playing a crucial role in their journey towards October glory. As the season unfolds, the Dodgers will navigate challenges and opportunities, embracing their "bad guy" persona and striving for a third straight championship.
