The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a World Series win and haven’t slowed down to start the 2025 season.
As of May 23, the Dodgers sit on top of the National League West and are among the best teams in baseball. Surprisingly, though, it’s the Detroit Tigers who hold the best record in the majors. Still, with Shohei Ohtani in the mix, the Dodgers look like a fun team to follow for years to come.
L.A. has earned a reputation for spending big money, but now they’re turning heads for something else—a bold new travel strategy. This season, the Dodgers are using two planes for all road trips, just like they did in last year’s postseason.
Dodgers Travel Change Draws Plenty of Praise
So, how does this work? Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times shared some insight.
“This year, in a significant shift to the way they travel, the Dodgers are using two planes on a full-time basis for their regular-season road trips: One for players, just like they did last October; and another for everyone else, from manager Dave Roberts and the rest of his coaching staff to the dozens of other team personnel that make up each trip.”
Before, the Dodgers would fly out of L.A. if they had an off day between a homestand and a road trip. That meant traveling on the day off, which might not have been the best idea. This year, the players’ plane has left after the homestand, meaning their day off is exactly that — a day off without having to travel.
As Harris writes, players are enjoying the change, including Freddie Freeman: “I think it’s better,” Freeman said. “It gives us actually a whole day off.”
This will be crucial for the Dodgers as they prepare for a tough stretch with few days off, meaning every chance to rest counts.
A challenging stretch lies ahead for the Dodgers, starting tonight. They'll play 29 games in just 31 days, with the majority at home and two six-game road trips. What makes it particularly tough is that, with only one exception, every series is against a team with a winning…
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate)
Max Muncy uttered a similar sentiment about the travel change: “It’s nice to just have the off day,” Muncy added. “You’re tired on the off day, but then you can get a full night’s sleep to rest and recover. That felt pretty good.”
This new travel setup is expected to cost at least $6 million more, but the Dodgers can afford it, and the players are on board.
Once again, the Dodgers are setting a new standard in baseball. Time will tell if other teams follow their lead or if this stays a uniquely L.A. move.