Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino drew a curious comparison to explain the current state of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 MLB playoffs. According to the player, the Los Angeles team is acting like the Kansas City Chiefs, the current model of success in the NFL.
“You talk about the Chiefs practicing in the regular season… it’s similar,” Pasquantino commented in an interview with FS1, highlighting how the Dodgers seem to have shifted gears in October. “They’re playing a different game,” he added, referring to the handling of starting pitching and the way Dave Roberts’ club has been able to adapt to the challenges of the postseason.
Dominance from the mound
The change in mentality has been clearly reflected in recent performances. Blake Snell pitched into the eighth inning with absolute dominance, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto responded with a complete game of 111 pitches against Milwaukee, in which he allowed only an early home run before completely nullifying the opposing offense.
Those long openings – rare in the modern postseason – have been key for Roberts to navigate the weaknesses of the bullpen and rely on the greatest strength of his roster: starting pitching. “When you get your most talented pitchers to get the most outs, you’re in a good position,” Pasquantino explained, highlighting the importance of maintaining stability from the mound.
An attack that does not depend on Ohtani
Although Shohei Ohtani has not maintained the explosive level of his playoff debut – when he hit two home runs in his first game – the Royals slugger was unconcerned. “He has faced a lot of lefties lately, but in a hypothetical World Series against right-handed pitchers like those from Seattle or Toronto, he will shine again,” he said.
Additionally, Ohtani’s contribution has not been indispensable. The Dodgers have relied on a deep offense: Kike Hernandez has been on fire from the bottom of the order, Teoscar Hernandez with sustained power, and the ever-reliable Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman leading the way.
A machine fine-tuned for the big stage
Pasquantino was blunt when asked if the Dodgers are the favorites for the title: “Yes, I think so. This is what they do,” he said. Los Angeles has proven to have a complete roster, capable of adapting, enduring and responding in decisive moments.
The Chiefs’ mirror
Like the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, the Dodgers seem to reserve their best version for when it matters most. Their formula combines dominant starters, quality hitters and unshakeable collective confidence. If they keep up this pace, the comparison to the Patrick Mahomes dynasty will not be just a metaphor, but a reflection of the new golden era of Los Angeles baseball.
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