They will attempt to defend their eighth World Series title in franchise history. They will also look to become the first MLB franchise to win back-to-back titles since the New York Yankees won three in a row between 1998 and 2000.

The smile got a little bigger, the emotions a little deeper, the meaning a little greater the more Dave Roberts looked around the room.In the wake of last year’s World Series title, in which Roberts led the Dodgers to the second championship of his decorated tenure,

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had an offseason of uncertainty for their pitching roster. With some problems better than others — like too many starting-caliber pitchers for the rotation — a more recent development has been the status of National League MVP Shohei Ohtani making his return to the mound.