Colin Cowherd’s analogy of the 2026 Dodgers to The Godfather Part III is brilliant
Colin Cowherd compared the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers’ attempt to win a third consecutive World Series with *The Godfather Part III*: familiar stars and a strong legacy, but a sense that the magic has faded. The team is 0-3 in its league championship series, and the article says a failure to recover could leave this season remembered as a blemish on the Dodgers’ dynasty.
The Dodgers have a payroll larger than those of the other three remaining teams combined and added Tarik Skubal and Kyle Tucker to an already highly regarded roster. Shohei Ohtani has batted below .200 in four consecutive postseason games, and the team reportedly considered benching him before Game 3 amid poor form and injuries. Only one team in MLB history has overcome a 0-3 deficit in an LCS series; the article likens the Dodgers’ predicament to a disappointing sequel that followed two celebrated films.
- Cowherd likens the Dodgers’ title bid to *The Godfather Part III*.
- Los Angeles is 0-3 in its league championship series.
- Ohtani has batted below .200 in four straight postseason games.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team that have won the World Series in each of the past two seasons. In baseball, the World Series is the final championship round, while the league championship series decides which teams reach it.
The Dodgers’ roster includes star player Shohei Ohtani, and teams can spend different amounts on player wages, known as payroll. Colin Cowherd is a sports commentator; his comparison to The Godfather Part III draws on the film’s reputation as a less celebrated follow-up to two acclaimed earlier films.
A three-game deficit in a best-of-seven series is difficult to overcome, and only one team has done so in a Major League Baseball league championship series. The comparison matters because another title would extend the Dodgers’ recent run of success, while falling short could affect how this season is remembered.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The comparison captures how a celebrated dynasty can remain formidable yet feel less compelling when success becomes expected and familiar stars struggle at a crucial moment. With the Dodgers down 0-3 despite their huge payroll and added talent, a third straight title would be an extraordinary achievement, while an early exit could make this season seem like a disappointing sequel to two triumphs.
The case against
The analogy risks letting a pop-culture punchline obscure the uncertainty and difficulty of a live sporting contest: the Dodgers are not yet eliminated, and a comeback, though rare, remains possible. A heavily resourced roster and star players also face injuries, slumps and strong opponents; judging the season as a blemish before it is over may undervalue the achievement of the team’s wider run.