Winning one World Series is tough. Winning two in a row? That is a distinctive challenge. The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their championship run, now face baseball’s biggest test—repeating as champions. Their largest obstacle is not just expectations. It is 6 hungry teams, all armed with the firepower to take them down. As per ESPN, such contenders are not just competitors—they are serious threats.

As the 2025 season begins, the Los Angeles Dodgers enter as defending champions. They boast a 102-60 projected record, a 97.7 percent chance of making the playoffs, and a 28.4 percent probability of winning it all. Despite being the team to beat, six powerful teams stand in their way. Each with potential to derail their repeat bid.

The Atlanta Braves remain a tough threat for the Dodgers. They have a 96-66 projection with a 91.1 percent playoff chance. While L.A. has elite star power, Atlanta counters with a deep rotation and explosive offense with Jurickson Profar. They match the Dodgers in continuous season dominance and postseason performance. If the Braves capitalize on their playoff experience, they could deny L.A. another title.

The New York Yankees, projected at 89-73 with a 68.3 percent playoff chance, pose a different kind of challenge. The Dodgers thrive on consistency, however, the Yankees thrive on raw power. A lineup featuring Aaron Judge and Juan Soto can crush any pitching staff, containing the Dodgers. The biggest question? Can their pitching sustain? If their arms step up, the Yankees could have the edge needed to dethrone L.A.

The Houston Astros, always a postseason threat, have an 89-73 projection with a 68.7 percent scope at the playoffs. Built on experience and adaptability, they know how to win in October. Their roster is powerful with Zach Dezenzo and Cam smith. The Dodgers could have a deeper roster, but Houston’s battle-tested core makes them a serious opponent when it matters most.

The Philadelphia Phillies, projected at 89-73 with a 68.9 percent playoff chance, have proven they can compete with baseball’s best. Their mix of veteran leadership and clutch hitters makes them dangerous in high-pressure situations. While the Dodgers might have more balance, Philly’s ability to deliver in crunch time gives them an advantage that numbers can not analyze.

The Texas Rangers, sitting at 87-75 with a 61 percent playoff chance, are a rising powerhouse. Their rotation has enhanced and if their offense stays explosive, they could become a vital threat. In addition, Leody Taveras with his versatility can provide threat to the Dodgers. The Dodgers have playoff pedigree, but Texas has something just as dangerous—momentum. And in baseball, momentum can transform everything.

The Baltimore Orioles, projected at 88-74 with a 64.7 percent playoff chance, could be the biggest wild card. The Dodgers have experience, but Baltimore has youth, energy, and hunger. Their rapid rise has put them in position to shake up the playoffs. If they can handle the pressure, they could become the Cinderella story that topples the team of Dave roberts.

However, the Dodgers biggest challenge is not just the teams but history itself. Winning one title is hard enough, but going back-to-back? That is a feat few teams have ever accomplished. As the Dodgers prepare to defend their crown, they aren’t just battling opponents on the field—they are fighting against a pattern that has stopped nearly every great team before them.

Could history keep Dodgers from another title?

Winning back-to-back championships is not just tough—it is a historic rarity. No matter how dominant a team could look, MLB has a way of humbling the best. Fatigue, injuries and the force of expectations take their toll. A team which lifts the trophy one year often struggles to identify the same magic the next. Stan Kasten’s team, despite their elite roster, are now staring down baseball’s toughest challenge—defying history.

Since 2000, only one team has managed to go back-to-back—the 1998-2000 New York Yankees. However, baseball’s most dominant dynasties have fallen short. The 2010s Giants, despite winning three titles in five years, never won two in a row. The Red Sox won in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018. However, never back-to-back. The Astros, who have been a playoff mainstay since 2017, never managed to repeat as champions. The pattern is clear—sustaining greatness is far tougher than achieving it once.

The MLB playoff structure also plays a role. The expanded format, introduced in 2022, means more teams have a shot at the title. More rounds mean more opportunities for upsets. The Dodgers learned this the hard way in 2022, when their 111-win team was eliminated early. October isn’t designed to favor the regular-season powerhouse—it rewards the hottest team at the right time.

Then there’s the mental and physical wear-and-tear. A long season, combined with deep playoff runs, takes a toll on even the deepest rosters. Pitching rotations get taxed. Lineups lose their edge. Opponents study every weakness. The Dodgers will not just be fighting contenders—they’ll be battling exhaustion, complacency, and the weight of expectations.

History is not on their side. The question is not whether they have the talent to win—it is whether they can survive the grind of a second championship chase. If the past two decades have proven anything, it is that the best teams rarely go back-to-back. The Dodgers will have to be the exception, not the rule. Will the Dodgers break the curse?