The ongoing debate about whether the Dodgers' star-studded roster—boasting a nearly $400 million payroll—actually harms the integrity of baseball is hotter than ever. But here’s where it gets controversial: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t losing sleep over the critics’ opinions. After their commanding 5-1 victory in Game 4 over the Brewers, which secured their spot in the NLCS, Roberts delivered a bold comeback to those who accuse his team of ruining the sport.
“Before this season started, people said the Dodgers are ruining baseball,” Roberts told the excited crowd at Dodger Stadium after sweeping the series. “Well, let’s get four more wins and really show what it means to ‘ruin’ baseball!”
Last year, the Dodgers celebrated a World Series victory over the Yankees, but this season was a rollercoaster, with the team finishing with 93 wins—just four behind the Brewers, who led all of Major League Baseball with 97 wins. Despite the ups and downs in the regular season, Los Angeles has been unstoppable in the postseason. After sweeping the Reds in the wild-card round and the Brewers in the NLCS, they’ve now posted a remarkable 9-1 record in these playoffs.
The Dodgers’ roster is packed with talented, high-priced players, leading many to question whether their spending creates an unfair advantage. For comparison, Milwaukee’s payroll ranked 22nd in the league this year, yet they were overwhelmed by Los Angeles’ depth and skill.
Before Game 4, Roberts was asked about the notion that the Dodgers are ‘buying championships.’ His response was straightforward: “We’re in a big market, so we’re expected to win. I can’t speak to how much revenue we generate, but our ownership invests heavily in our team, and that’s exactly how it should be—focused on competing at the highest level.”
With their current momentum, the Dodgers are now just four wins away from reaching their third World Series in five years—a feat that sparks plenty of debate about competitiveness, spending, and fairness in baseball today. Is this the new normal for baseball dominance, or does it threaten the spirit of the game? That’s a conversation worth having—and one that’s sure to continue long after the postseason ends.
