The Los Angeles Dodgers are already mapping out their path to a third consecutive World Series title, and according to a new episode of the popular podcast “Dodgers Territory,” the blueprint involves a trio of high-profile bounce-back candidates ready to reclaim their dominance in 2026. Hosts Clint Pacas and Alana Rizzo, joined by a growing digital audience, laid out their New Year’s resolutions for the defending champions, zeroing in on three specific players who are poised to silence doubters and reignite their careers after challenging 2025 campaigns. The message from the Dodgers Territory crew is clear: the dynasty is far from finished, and the comeback stories are about to begin.

The first name on the list is Mookie Betts, a perennial MVP candidate whose offensive production dipped last season. Pacas did not mince words, stating that Betts needs to get his bat back on track and post an OPS above .900. The resolution for Betts is not about his defense or his legendary work ethic, but about returning to the elite offensive force that makes him one of the most feared hitters in baseball. The podcast emphasized that Betts is an above-average shortstop, putting an end to any lingering questions about his position change, and that his selflessness and four World Series rings speak for themselves. The expectation is that Betts will once again be the engine of the Dodgers lineup.

Next up is Teoscar Hernandez, the fan favorite who re-signed with the Dodgers last offseason. The resolution for Hernandez is twofold: accept a full-time move to left field and rediscover his clutch hitting. The podcast hosts acknowledged that Hernandez was instrumental in the 2024 title run and that his return was desperately wanted by the fanbase. However, 2025 was a struggle, and the team needs him to hit enough home runs and drive in enough runs to make his defensive limitations a non-issue. If Hernandez can recapture his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations, the Dodgers lineup becomes even more dangerous.

The third and perhaps most intriguing bounce-back candidate is left-handed reliever Tanner Scott. Signed to a major contract, Scott had a disastrous 2025 season that left fans and analysts questioning the investment. The resolution for Scott is to become a legitimate candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, leading the team in holds and posting a sub-1.00 WHIP. The podcast noted that Scott does not need to be the closer, as Edwin Diaz holds that role, but he must regain his confidence and become the dominant eighth-inning bridge to Diaz. There were whispers of underlying health issues last season, which makes Scott a prime candidate for a resurgence.

Beyond the bounce-back trio, the podcast highlighted a wave of internal talent returning from injury that could reshape the roster. River Ryan, a pitcher with only four career starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery, is being touted as a potential breakout star. The hosts raved about his “nasty stuff” and reported that his rehab has actually strengthened his arm. Ryan could serve as a swingman, providing high-leverage innings out of the bullpen or stepping into the rotation when needed. His return is seen as a major boost to the Dodgers’ already stacked pitching staff.

Kyle Hurt is another name generating significant buzz. Described as a “dude” with a live arm and a bulldog mentality, Hurt is coming back from Tommy John surgery and is expected to carve out a role in the bullpen. The podcast predicted that Hurt will quickly climb Dave Roberts’ trust tree and find himself in big moments during the 2026 season. His fastball and breaking stuff are electric, and his aggressive demeanor on the mound could make him a fan favorite. The Dodgers are betting that his recovery will be seamless.

Gavin Stone rounds out the list of returning arms. After a breakout 2024 season where he was in the All-Star conversation, Stone was derailed by a shoulder injury at the worst possible time. Now healthy, Stone is expected to compete for a spot in the rotation, potentially serving as the fifth or sixth starter. The podcast compared his potential impact to that of Emmet Sheen in 2025, who plugged into the rotation and never left. Stone’s ability to eat innings and provide quality starts will be critical for a team that prioritizes depth.

The bullpen as a whole is shaping up to be a strength, with Brusdar Graterol also returning from injury. Graterol, known for his effortless 101 mph fastball, has missed significant time over the last two seasons. The podcast argued that a healthy Graterol, combined with Edwin Diaz, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda, could form the most dominant relief corps in baseball. The Dodgers seem to have quietly assembled a deep and versatile bullpen without making a splashy offseason move, relying instead on internal recoveries.

The podcast also touched on the team’s rotation, which is headlined by Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The resolution for Ohtani is simple: win a Cy Young Award. The two-way superstar already has three MVP awards, and adding a Cy Young to his mantle would cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in history. For Yamamoto, who was a Cy Young contender last season and dominated in the postseason, the goal is to win the award outright. The hosts joked that Yamamoto “sacked up” during the playoffs, and they expect that momentum to carry into 2026.

Blake Snell, the big offseason signing from last year, also received a resolution. The podcast wants Snell to make at least 20 starts and stay healthy, serving as a bona fide ace in a rotation full of aces. With Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Snell at the top, the Dodgers have the potential to field three Cy Young-caliber pitchers. The key, as always, is health. If Snell can avoid the early-season injuries that plagued him in 2025, the Dodgers rotation could be historically good.

The overarching resolution for the entire team is simple: go back-to-back-to-back. Winning a third consecutive World Series is the only goal that matters in Los Angeles. The podcast emphasized that the Dodgers have the talent, the depth, and the internal reinforcements to make it happen. With bounce-back candidates like Betts, Hernandez, and Scott, combined with returning arms like Ryan, Hurt, and Stone, the 2026 Dodgers are built for another deep October run.

The show also welcomed a new addition to the “Dodgers Territory” family: Katie Woo, a beat reporter for The Athletic. Woo will bring daily clubhouse access and insider insight to the podcast, providing fans with unprecedented coverage. The hosts encouraged viewers to subscribe to the channel and support the show, as they aim to grow their audience to 15,000 followers before spring training. The energy is high, and the expectations are even higher.

As the calendar turns to 2026, the Dodgers are not resting on their laurels. The organization is focused on internal improvement, player recovery, and maintaining their championship standard. The bounce-back candidates identified by “Dodgers Territory” are not just hopeful wishes; they are calculated bets on talent, health, and determination. If Betts, Hernandez, and Scott can return to form, and if the injured pitchers can reclaim their dominance, the Dodgers will be the team to beat once again.

The road to a three-peat begins now, and the Dodgers are ready to prove that their dynasty is only getting started.