Can the Dodgers Pull Off the Three-Peat? What History Says About the Odds

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Two-time champions are one win from the NLCS, and history shows just how rare a third straight title really is

Winning a World Series takes a great team and a lot of luck. Winning two in a row is something special. Winning three straight has happened only four times in more than a century of baseball, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are now trying to make it five.

With the Division Series nearly decided, here’s a look at where they stand and what the past says about their chances.

A Strong Start to October

The Dodgers finished the regular season at 100-62 and took the No. 2 seed in the National League. That earned them a first-round bye, so they got to rest while Atlanta fought through a three-game Wild Card series just to face them.

The matchup with the Braves has been competitive:

• Game 1: Los Angeles took the opener at home, 5-3.
• Game 2: Atlanta bounced back with a 3-2 win, using a bullpen game to level the series.
• Game 3: The Dodgers won 3-1 on the road. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was outstanding, striking out ten over seven innings and allowing just one run. Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer, Freddie Freeman added a solo shot, and Edwin Díaz finished things off in the ninth.

The Dodgers now lead the series 2-1, and the Braves must win Game 4 on Wednesday night at home to stay alive.

Atlanta shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Braves won five of the six games the two teams played in the regular season, and they finished 94-68. Still, the Dodgers have looked like the more complete team, and their manager said afterward that they played Game 3 as if their season were on the line.

The Short List of Three-Peat Champions

The Dodgers became only the 15th team in history to win back-to-back World Series. Very few of the others made it to three. The only teams that did:

1. New York Yankees (1936–1939): four straight titles
2. New York Yankees (1949–1953): five straight titles, still the record
3. Oakland Athletics (1972–1974): the only team outside New York to do it
4. New York Yankees (1998–2000): the most recent three-peat

If the Dodgers finish the job, they’ll be the first National League team ever to win three consecutive championships. They’d also end a 26-year wait since the last team did it.

Why a Third Title Is So Difficult

Two big obstacles stand in the way of any repeat champion.

October is unpredictable. Short playoff series reward whoever is hottest for a few days. One great start from an opposing pitcher or one unlucky bounce can end a season, and Atlanta’s Game 2 win showed how quickly things can tighten. A team with a bye still has to win three straight rounds to finish on top.

Health is never guaranteed. After a long regular season and several deep playoff runs in a row, injuries and fatigue can quietly shape the outcome. This year’s Dodgers appear to be in good shape heading into the postseason, which is exactly where they wanted to be.

What Gives Los Angeles an Edge

• An ace in top form. Yamamoto has now given up one earned run or fewer in five consecutive postseason starts.
• A bullpen that closes games. Díaz picked up his first postseason save as a Dodger in Game 3, a big boost for a group that leaned on its relievers during last year’s title run.
• Big-game experience. Most of this roster has played in high-pressure October games before, and it shows in how calmly they handle tight moments.
• Recent success against the likely opponent. If the Dodgers advance, they could meet Milwaukee. The Brewers lead San Diego 2-1 in the other Division Series, and Los Angeles swept them in last year’s NLCS.

What Comes Next

The Dodgers need one more win to return to the NL Championship Series. After that, the World Series is scheduled to open on October 23, with a potential Game 7 on October 31.

Los Angeles began the season as the favorite to win it all, with preseason odds of +350, the best in baseball. The odds of any team winning three straight are slim, but the Dodgers have talent, depth, and an ace who looks unbeatable. If they pull it off, they’ll earn a place next to the greatest dynasties the sport has seen.