Dodgers' Historic Three-Peat Bid Crumbles Amidst Injuries and Inconsistent Offense
Despite a 100-win season and record payroll, the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, exposing key weaknesses.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' pursuit of a historic three-peat in the World Series came to an abrupt end with their elimination in the National League Championship Series by the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite a 100-win regular season and a league-record $432 million payroll, the two-time defending champions fell short, heading into an offseason marked by uncertainty and questions about the team's future.
Several critical factors contributed to the Dodgers' postseason downfall.
Shohei Ohtani's Health Limitations
A significant blow to the Dodgers' offensive capabilities was the compromised health of star player Shohei Ohtani. While the team boasts a lineup with many talented hitters, their postseason performance in recent years has shown increasing cracks, batting .219 since the 2024 World Series. In previous Octobers, Ohtani's offensive prowess, including eight home runs and a 1.096 OPS in the 2025 playoffs, helped offset the team's struggles. However, this year, injuries to his right arm and left knee limited his effectiveness at the plate. He was unable to consistently reach base, functioning more as a diminished hitter than the superstar capable of carrying the offense. Even a monumental home run in Game 4 of the NLCS, which gave the Dodgers an early lead, was ultimately insufficient, as he later struck out with the tying run on base.
Rotation Struggles
Complementing their offensive challenges, the Dodgers' starting rotation also encountered difficulties. While their pitching staff was strong in the 2025 playoffs with a 2.68 ERA, replicating that performance proved difficult. Outside of Yoshinobu Yamamoto's strong outing in the NL Division Series, the team struggled to get deep into games. Blake Snell gave up crucial home runs in Game 3 of the NLCS, and Tyler Glasnow allowed a four-run deficit to be erased in Game 4. Despite a respectable 3.89 combined ERA from the starters in the postseason, it was not enough to overcome the offensive shortcomings and the fine margins of playoff baseball.
Inability to Secure Timely Hits
A recurring theme throughout the postseason was the Dodgers' struggle to deliver hits with runners in scoring position (RISP). The team hit just 5-for-43 in these crucial situations during the playoffs. This inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities contrasted with their reputation for "winning the big moments" in previous championship runs. Utilityman Kiké Hernández acknowledged the team's difficulty, stating, "It just happened to be at the worst time of the season." While situational hitting can involve randomness, the Dodgers also experienced long stretches where crucial hits felt unattainable, a pattern that mirrored their .204 RISP average in the previous postseason.
Age and Consistency Concerns
The Dodgers embraced the nickname "Dinosaur Dodgers" for their veteran-heavy lineup, but age appeared to catch up to them in the critical moments. The team went without a home run in the NLCS until Ohtani's Game 4 blast, lacking the consistent power that had previously helped them navigate offensive slumps. While Freddie Freeman, one of the team's older players at 37, dismissed the notion that age was the sole reason for their struggles, the lack of consistent pop was evident. The team's overall offensive consistency, coupled with their pitching and Ohtani's health issues, ultimately led to their early exit from the playoffs.