Fansided

5 reasons the Dodgers will return to World Series next year

By Gabe Henderson

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: The Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: The Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 01: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. Vengeance

Heading into next season, the Dodgers have everything to prove. After setting numerous records and coming within 27 outs of a World Series trophy, Los Angeles will be ready for 2018. The Dodgers moved one step closer to ending its now 30-year championship drought by making the Fall Classic last season. With the highest payroll in baseball, no one is expected to succeed as much as the Dodgers. They know that as much as anybody.

For most of the last season, Los Angeles looked a lock for the World Series. The Dodgers were cruising through competition with ease. 2017 looked to be their year. In the end, that’s not how it happened. That crushed the heart of everybody in the clubhouse.

Nothing — truly nothing — is more embarrassing than losing the World Series and watching your opponents celebrate on your home turf.

But that’s what the Dodgers had to go through last week. While their season was ultimately a success, watching the Astros celebrate had to rip the Dodgers’ hearts out as if they were in an Indiana Jones movie. But they’ll be back, they’ll be back with a vengeance too.

In 2018, the roster looks largely the same. What happened last year won’t be acceptable in the eyes of everybody in the clubhouse — it’s World Series title or bust in Los Angeles. The goal is now to improve on last year, which is really saying something considering the Dodgers won 104 games in 2017. Now with everything to play for, the 2018 Dodgers will try and secure their place in history and end a franchise’s insufferably long title drought.

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