The Dodgers Are Still The Team To Beat, But 29 Others Are Coming For Them

We're a few games into the 2026 season and here's what we already know: the Los Angeles Dodgers are still the favorites to win the World Series. Again. The defending champs are being pegged as heavy favorites to capture their third straight crown, which is absolutely wild when you think about it. But here's the thing that makes this year different from the hype machine we usually see in March: even with all that dominance on paper, they've got less than a one-in-three chance to actually pull it off. That's baseball, baby. Nothing is guaranteed.

Why The Dodgers Are Still Unstoppable (Or Are They?)

Look, the Dodgers did what everyone expected last season. They won it all as heavy favorites. But getting there wasn't some clean coronation. They had to survive a World Series for the ages, and honestly, things could have gone sideways if a few plays had broken differently. Winning a championship is hard, even when you're the most talented team on the field. That's the reality check we need heading into this season.

The numbers back up the hype. ESPN's projections have them at a 27.6% championship probability, down slightly from 29.0% last year. They're expected to win 101.9 games on average (down from 102.4). They've got a 97.7% chance to make the playoffs. The organization's "franchise temperature" is sitting at a scorching 251.4 degrees. These aren't just good stats. These are historically elite numbers.

The Tier System: Where Does Everyone Else Stack Up?

ESPN's annual breakdown slots teams into tiers based on their championship window. The Blue Jays are the perfect example of why you can't trust the preseason rankings. They started last year slotted in Tier 3, coming off a 74-win season with questions swirling about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and contract negotiations. Now? They're looking like legitimate contenders. That's what a strong offseason and the right moves can do.

The tiering system is straightforward: Tier 1 teams should be all-in trying to win now. Tier 2 teams could be contenders right now. Tier 3 teams have a legitimate shot. Tier 4 is "wait until next year," and Tier 5 is "we're talking two years out at minimum." It's become an annual project to map out where everyone stands in the championship landscape. The truth is, surprise pennant winners coming from outside the top tiers isn't really surprising anymore. It happens every year.

The Dodgers sit alone in Tier 1. Everyone else is chasing.

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