Three National League Teams That Could Disrupt Dodgers’ Dominance

The North Side Residents

The Chicago Cubs appear to have gotten better this offseason. Edward Cabrera was brought in to anchor the starting staff and help Shota Imanaga. If those two arms can be as effective as they have been in the past, they could be quite a one-two punch that adds depth. Add Alex Bregman (a former World Champion with the Houston Astros) to a lineup that features Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch, who enjoys tormenting his former team. Busch has a batting average of over .400 against the Dodgers, and multiple home runs. (Bush had 34 in total last year.) If the bullpen can add the relief that they are capable of and avoid injury, who knows what could happen? However, it looks like the Wrigley residents are on the rise.

Kings of Queens

The New York Mets have impressive resources at their disposal with Steve Cohen at the helm. A flurry of moves at the end of the winter may have made them perennial postseason contenders and rivals of not only the Philadelphia Phillies but the Dodgers as well. Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto have some added protection in the lineup. Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco lengthen the lineup and give opposing pitchers less space to breathe. Freddy Peralta is a quality arm and could act as an ace to a rotation that needs one. Devin Williams is a legitimate closer from the left side of the rubber who, when he executes his pitches, can neutralize a lethal lineup like that of the Dodgers. If they can stay healthy and get long in the clubhouse, they could pose a threat to Los Angeles.

Philly Powerhouse

The Philadelphia Phillies came precariously close to upending the Dodgers last season in October. In fact, they were the higher seed because they beat the Dodgers in the regular-season series. They match up really well, and every contest seems tight. Now, proven ace Zack Wheeler returns to a rotation that features left-handers Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, and the Phillies have one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball, including a proven closer on the back end of the bullpen. Any lineup that has Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper is capable of producing runs in bunches. Unless injuries short-circuit their season, expect them to challenge the Dodgers in 2026 and beyond.

No Division Rivals?

It looks like the rest of the National League West got better on the margins, but Los Angeles addressed the weaknesses they had. As a result, it feels like the majority of threats to the Dodgers will arise elsewhere in the NL. However, the Dodgers do have a rather large target on their back, and surprises inevitably arise, so let’s see what happens.