Dodgers Embrace 'Bad Guy' Narrative Ahead of 2026 Season

L.A. is all about October, but what happens over the next six months? We separate fact from fiction.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:48am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Dodgers baseball game, with the players and field broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in vibrant blue, white, and red colors, capturing the energy and intensity of the team's pursuit of a historic three-peat.The Dodgers' quest for a third straight championship will require navigating the high expectations and pressure of being the 'bad guys' of baseball.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers are embracing their 'bad guy' persona heading into the 2026 season, with the team's marketing leaning into the narrative. However, players like Mookie Betts say they don't care about the outside noise and are focused on winning another championship. The Dodgers are facing high expectations after a second straight title and a busy offseason, but they're not concerned with setting regular season win records, instead prioritizing health and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' dominance has made them a target for the rest of the league, and how they handle that pressure could determine their chances of a historic three-peat. Their veteran-laden roster and innovative pitching approach will be tested throughout the grueling 162-game schedule.

The details

The Dodgers set franchise records by using 40 different pitchers in both 2024 and 2025, a strategy that prioritizes pitcher health and rehab over maximizing regular season wins. This approach allows them to be patient with injured starters like Blake Snell, who is expected to return in late May. The team's aging position players, including Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, will also require careful load management to keep them fresh for October.

  • The Dodgers' 2026 season opener is on April 1.
  • Snell is not expected to return until late May at the earliest.
  • The Dodgers will have seven Thursday off-days in the first nine weeks to help manage Shohei Ohtani's pitching schedule.

The players

Mookie Betts

The Dodgers' 33-year-old star shortstop who says he doesn't care about the 'bad guy' narrative and just wants to focus on winning games.

Max Muncy

The Dodgers' longtime 35-year-old third baseman who embraces the challenge of being the team everyone wants to beat.

Freddie Freeman

The 36-year-old Dodgers first baseman who is adamant about playing every day, even with a fourth child on the way.

Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers' new two-way star who is aiming to win a Cy Young Award, with the team carefully managing his pitching schedule to keep him fresh.

Dave Roberts

The Dodgers' manager who says the team's focus is on securing home-field advantage and avoiding the wild card round, rather than chasing the single-season wins record.

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What they’re saying

“I personally don't care. You can call us whatever you want to call us. At the end of the day, you've got to go play the game. Villains, not villains, whatever -- the game will determine who wins and who loses. The villains is outside noise.”

— Mookie Betts, Dodgers Shortstop

“We always have that target. It's just going to be even bigger now. It's a challenge, but it's something we get to look forward to. We get to embrace it. That's what makes it fun. That's why you've heard guys say, 'Being a Dodger is not for everybody.' You have to want to be out there and get everyone's best every single night. It just creates a challenge that you've got to find a way to embrace.”

— Max Muncy, Dodgers Third Baseman

“Anything's possible, certainly with this team, but that's not our north star. It's really not.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

“I'll miss probably two games when the baby comes. And then I always take the day off after we win the division, so that's three. A hundred and fifty-nine -- that's good enough, right?”

— Freddie Freeman

“I believe the team should be prioritizing Yoshinobu, Glasnow, and Snell when he's back. So, I think it's easy to kind of fit me into that schedule whenever the team feels that's a good thing. What's most important is that we're all healthy in October.”

— Shohei Ohtani

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.