olivia garvey
Why Dodgers are built for a Three-Peat and MLB owners must Spend Big!
Olivia Garvey Breaks It Down. LOS ANGELES – Fresh off back-to-back World Series titles, the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again the team everyone loves to hate—and the one everyone’s chasing. On a recent episode 78 of the Full Count Podcast, NBC Los Angeles weekend sports anchor Olivia Garvey gave her unfiltered take on whether L.A. can become the first team in over two decades to win three straight championships.
Garvey, grew up going to the Dodger Stadium as the daughter of franchise icon Steve Garvey, didn’t hold back: the Dodgers are built differently.“It starts at the top,” she said, praising president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s front office for its ruthless efficiency. From snagging elite closer Edwin Díaz from the Mets to the depth that allows stars like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell to flex between starting and closing if needed, Garvey called the roster a “full package.” She highlighted the clubhouse vibe under Dave Roberts—whom she affectionately dubbed a true “player’s manager”—as a key ingredient that keeps the team loose and enjoying the grind of a 162-game season.
Of course, she’s not blind to the risks. Baseball’s a brutal sport: injuries happen, Mookie Betts can go cold, and the bullpen still has question marks. But Garvey’s optimism feels grounded. “They have the depth, the chemistry, the spending power—everything aligned,” she said. And with international sensation Shohei Ohtani in the mix and potential additions like Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki on the horizon, it’s hard to argue.Garvey didn’t stop at the Dodgers, though. She took a swing at MLB ownership as a whole, pointing out that too many billionaire owners treat their teams like side hustles instead of investing to win. “Mark Walters [Dodgers owner] is all-in on championships,” she noted, contrasting him with others who pinch pennies. That spending gap, she warned, could widen the divide in the league—and might even spill into labor talks. Garvey suggested a Dodgers three-peat could become a flashpoint in negotiations over a potential salary cap, something players will fight tooth and nail to avoid.
On a brighter note, she’s pumped about baseball’s resurgence. Younger fans are showing up in droves, rule changes like the pitch clock have shaved time off games, and viewership numbers are climbing—sometimes even topping the NBA. Stars like Ohtani are global draws, and the energy around the sport feels electric.
One change she’s less thrilled about? The automated ball-strike system (ABS) coming in 2026. As someone who grew up loving the human drama of arguing balls and strikes, Garvey worries it’ll strip away some of the game’s personality. Still, she admits it could bring consistency and appeal to a tech-savvy generation.
The conversation also got personal. Garvey opened up about her own path in sports media—from chasing acting dreams in L.A. to grinding through spring training gigs and internships before landing on-air roles in Palm Springs and D.C. She laughed about how baseball segments come naturally to her—no script needed—while football still requires heavy prep. And yes, she’s heard the nepotism whispers because of her famous last name. Her response? Prove them wrong every day. Her advice to aspiring broadcasters was straightforward and real: get uncomfortable, leave your bubble, network like crazy, and show you can stand on your own.In the end, Garvey’s take feels authentic because she’s lived it—from the clubhouse to the broadcast booth.
The Dodgers have the pieces, the culture, and the willingness to spend. Whether they make history in 2026 will come down to health, execution, and a little luck. But if you’re betting against them? Olivia Garvey wouldn’t recommend it.