Dodgers' Postseason Struggles Could Benefit MLB's Long-Term Health
A World Series without the heavily favored Los Angeles Dodgers may impact viewership in the short term but could foster competitive balance in the long run.
For the first time this season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are not the betting favorites to win the World Series. The Milwaukee Brewers currently lead the Dodgers 2-0 in the National League Championship Series, making the Brewers the favorites to win the championship.
Despite their current deficit, the Dodgers are not mathematically eliminated. Historically, teams have overcome similar two-game deficits in best-of-seven series. Baseball's inherent randomness means teams can get hot or cold, and perceived strong lineups can struggle for stretches.
In the short term, a World Series matchup between the Brewers and either the Tampa Bay Rays or Cleveland Guardians would likely result in lower viewership numbers compared to recent series featuring the Dodgers. For instance, the 2024 and 2025 World Series, which included the Dodgers, averaged approximately 15.3 million viewers. In contrast, the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks drew an average of 9 million viewers, a figure a Brewers-Rays/Guardians series might approach.
However, the long-term benefits of the Dodgers missing the World Series could outweigh the immediate dip in viewership. The Dodgers have been perennial World Series favorites for several years, particularly after assembling a star-studded roster that includes Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Edwin Diaz, and pitcher Tarik Skubal. This concentration of talent has intensified discussions about competitive imbalance within Major League Baseball and calls for stricter payroll regulations.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan likened the 2026 Dodgers to the Avengers, highlighting their unprecedented collection of star power. This perceived disparity between the Dodgers and the rest of the league has led some outlets to argue that such dominance is detrimental to the sport's health.
The structure of Major League Baseball, which allows teams with higher payrolls to consistently acquire top talent, has been a point of contention. Unlike the NFL, where roster turnover and a more dispersed distribution of star players offer most fanbases a semblance of hope each season, baseball's market dynamics can create a perception that certain franchises are perpetually competing for championships while others are not.
If the Dodgers were to overcome their current deficit, reach the World Series, and secure a third consecutive championship, it could further solidify the idea that the league's outcome is predetermined. This scenario would likely increase pressure for reforms aimed at creating a more level playing field. A dramatic loss for the Dodgers in a potential Game 7 of the World Series could offer a short-term viewership boost without reinforcing the notion of inevitability. Nevertheless, from a long-term perspective on the sport's health, a victory for a smaller-market team like the Brewers against the Dodgers could be more beneficial for competitive balance.