Is the Dodgers dynasty already in jeopardy after brutal game two NLDS loss to Atlanta Braves?

"They're ruining baseball."

"They've built a superteam."

"They're unbeatable."

"Too many fans and teams have no hope of their team reaching or winning the World Series."

"Lock 'em out."

MLB'S SALARY CAP PROPOSAL WON'T FIX THE LEAGUE'S NON-EXISTENT COMPETITIVE BALANCE PROBLEMS

With some varying degree of consistency, all of these statements have become oft-repeated campaign phrases from either Major League Baseball itself or many of the league's fans. Mostly as a result of the Los Angeles Dodgers winning back-to-back World Series titles and continuing to add expensive players to their roster, despite the success.

For much of the 2026 season, off-field discussion and PR efforts centered on the league's owners demanding a salary cap in upcoming labor negotiations, as a direct result of the Dodgers' spending. Curiously, few of these proponents ever mention the New York Mets and their spending. Interestingly, the Mets missing the postseason for two consecutive seasons despite a top-2 payroll never seems to come up. Nor the Giants and Angels futility, despite their big markets and payrolls.

But beyond the labor discussion is the on-field results. Yes, the Dodgers have won the World Series in two straight years. And yes, there's still every opportunity for them to win a third title in 2026. The issue? Sunday night's game two of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves showed why there's no such thing as a foregone conclusion in baseball. Why it's not possible to "ruin" the most unpredictable sport in the country. And why assembling even the best roster guarantees nothing.

The Dodgers won game one in mostly ho-hum fashion, with Tarik Skubal going six strong innings and Kyle Tucker, Teoscar Hernandez, and Max Muncy hitting home runs to win 5-3. When the Braves announced that superstar starter Chris Sale would be held back for game three, the widespread expectation was that the Dodgers had a tremendous advantage for game two.

Blake Snell, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, was set up to start for LA. Atlanta? They countered with little-used reliever Ray Kerr. Kerr didn't pitch in the majors in 2025, had a 5.64 ERA in 2024, and has such poor "stuff" that he struck out just 11 hitters in 18.1 innings in the regular season.

Game over, right? Of course not. The Dodgers missed every opportunity against the Atlanta bullpen, made several uncharacteristic mistakes, and lost game two 3-2 to even the series at one apiece.

Kerr went 3.1 scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in a decisive game three of the wild card series. He followed that up by going 2.2 scoreless innings against the Dodgers in a pivotal Game 2 of the NLDS