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By Andrew Gould
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The Los Angeles Dodgers assembled a formidable superteam, but they're not a definitive front-runner to win their third straight World Series.
While betting markets still back the Dodgers as favorites to secure another National League pennant, some MLB personnel think differently. An ESPN poll instead gravitated toward another contender with a far smaller payroll.
Among 16 MLB executives and scouts, six called the Brewers the team to beat in the NL. Five picked the Dodgers, four chose the Philadelphia Phillies, and one named the Chicago Cubs.
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One NL executive explained why the Brewers, anchored by ace Jacob Misiorowski, could take down the Dodgers amid Shohei Ohtani's injury concerns.
"I like the Brewers. Their young players don't ever seem fazed by the moment," the executive said. "And there could be some weakness with the Dodgers if Ohtani can't be himself (and pitch). Milwaukee is just a little bit better in all phases plus has more pitching than a year ago. Miz can match up with anyone."
The Dodgers have more star power, but the Brewers currently lead MLB in wins (93) and run differential (+195). The NL Central leaders have a five-game cushion for a first-round bye and are 2.5 ahead of the Dodgers for home-field advantage throughout the NL bracket.
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One scout believes the Brewers would benefit immensely by the postseason going through American Family Field, where they're 52-26 with a .780 team OPS.
"The Brewers' offense -- especially at home -- can hang with anyone," the scout said. "They even hit home runs there. With home-field advantage, I don't worry about them scoring. But it's Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson that give me more confidence this time around than last year when I picked them. That one-two combo can hang with the Dodgers."
However, some participants wouldn't overlook the Dodgers. While they haven't looked like unstoppable juggernauts, one executive believes they've been biding their time for another deep October run.
"They've played it perfectly this year in terms of pressing down on the gas when needed and then backing off," the executive said. "As long as they get a bye, they're in great shape. It would be one thing if they exhausted themselves just getting into the postseason, but from day one, they've seemingly had this three-peat in mind."
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