The Dodgers Are Baseball's Villain Now, and They're Leaning Into It Hard

The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the offseason building what might be the most stacked roster in baseball, and they know exactly what that makes them: the bad guy. Before every home game, a 100-second hype video plays to the beat of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy," featuring actor Jason Bateman asking one simple question: What's wrong with being the bad guy? By the end, Bateman channels Tony Montana from "Scarface," saying the sport needs teams like the Dodgers so everyone else has someone to point at and call the villain. This isn't accidental. The Dodgers' marketing team is fully committed to the narrative.

The Villain Role Hits Different for Everyone

Not every player on the roster is buying into the outsider storyline the same way. Mookie Betts, the Dodgers' shortstop, isn't losing sleep over it. "I personally don't care," Betts said. "You can call us whatever you want to call us. At the end of the day, you've got to go play the game. Villains, not villains, whatever, the game will determine who wins and who loses. The villains is outside noise."

Max Muncy, the longtime third baseman, sees it completely differently. He's energized by the pressure and the target on their backs. "We always have that target," Muncy said. "It's just going to be even bigger now. It's a challenge, but it's something we get to look forward to. We get to embrace it. That's what makes it fun. That's why you've heard guys say, 'Being a Dodger is not for everybody.' You have to want to be out there and get everyone's best every single night. It just creates a challenge that you've got to find a way to embrace."

Defending Back-to-Back Titles With a Bigger Bullseye

Coming off a second straight championship and a third consecutive blockbuster offseason, the Dodgers are starting 2026 at 4-2 through their first homestand. The entire baseball world is watching, especially with labor tensions simmering beneath the surface. It feels less like a season and more like a referendum on whether one franchise can keep dominating while the rest of the sport scrambles to catch up. For Muncy and players who thrive on that kind of challenge, that's exactly the point.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.