4 MLB teams that can spoil Dodgers' three-peat quest

The 2026 MLB season is just about here. Opening Day for every team is later this week, and one daunting force rules over all of baseball.

That's the Los Angeles Dodgers, back-to-back World Series champions, accused by some of "ruining baseball." Well, the best way to end that worry is to unseat them from their throne and prevent a three-peat.

That's easier said than done, of course. The Dodgers have Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. They signed Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz in free agency. Yoshinobu Yamamoto leads an awesome pitching rotation.

But baseball is an unpredictable game with a long season in which almost anything can happen.

Including these four teams taking the crown from the Dodgers.

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MLB teams that can end Dodgers' dominance

1. Seattle Mariners

The Mariners' bats are more well known, with the likes of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena certainly headlining an imposing bunch -- one bolstered this offseason by re-signing Josh Naylor.

But it's not the bats that will make or break a postseason matchup with the Dodgers. It's a deep pitching rotation with Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Luis Castillo and star closer Andres Munoz.

To win a bunch of short playoff series in a row, there can't be much drop off in pitching from game to game. The Mariners are equipped just like that.

2. New York Mets

These Mets look a lot different than last year, and they're hoping that's a good thing.

They've still got a star-studded lineup, with the likes of Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, Juan Soto and Luis Robert Jr.

Now, they've added more pitching, including ace Kodai Senga and relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.

They just need to avoid anything Mets-y, like another late season collapse to miss the playoffs entirely.

MORE: 3 things that will decide the Mets' season

3. New York Yankees

Yes, really. The Yankees are formidable.

The Aaron Judge-led lineup remains potent, with both Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger back after their contracts were up, and with Ben Rice primed for a breakout.

The pitching could be the difference for the Yanks this season, with Gerrit Cole coming back, Cam Schlittler on the rise, and prospects like Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez ready to come up in the second half and make a difference.

MORE: 3 bold predictions for Yankees' season

4. Philadelphia Phillies

These Phillies have had enough talent for a while now, but it seems like when October comes around, they cool off.

If they can hit in the playoffs, the Phillies can beat anyone. A lineup with Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Trea Turner is awesome.

They also have two aces, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sanchez. They added a dominant closer at last season's trade deadline, Jhoan Duran. 

This core is due to win some big games. Maybe it'll happen this year.

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