Cowherd compares Dodgers' 0-3 deficit to Godfather Part III

FS1 host Colin Cowherd likened the Los Angeles Dodgers' 0-3 deficit in the League Championship Series to the third installment of The Godfather trilogy, suggesting the team feels played out despite familiar stars. The comparison, shared Wednesday, draws parallels between the aging film cast and the veteran baseball roster as both struggle to recapture previous dominance.

Cowherd noted that while Francis Ford Coppola is still directing and names like Al Pacino and Diane Keaton remain, the narrative feels stale. He applied this directly to the Dodgers, who are attempting to win a third consecutive World Series. The host emphasized that the current team shares the same sense of exhaustion as the film's third act.

The analogy highlights specific struggles within the Dodgers lineup. Shohei Ohtani, widely regarded as the greatest baseball player in the world, has batted under .200 in four straight postseason games. Reports indicate the Dodgers considered benching him before Game 3 due to his performance issues and injuries. In contrast, Pacino was still considered excellent in The Godfather Part III, marking a key difference between the two situations.

If the Dodgers do not overcome their deficit, they become just the second team in Major League Baseball history to do so from a 0-3 hole in a championship series. A failure to surge back would cement the 2026 team as a stain on the dynasty's legacy. This mirrors the critical reception of The Godfather Part III, which is viewed as a disappointment compared to the first two films, with some fans preferring the trilogy end after Part II.

Parallels are drawn between the film's casting choices and the Dodgers' roster moves. Coppola cast his daughter Sofia in The Godfather Part III, a decision that did not resonate with audiences. Similarly, Los Angeles added Tarik Skubal and Kyle Tucker to a roster already considered one of the greatest ever assembled. The 2026 Dodgers have no such mitigating factors for their current struggles.

The Dodgers' payroll exceeds that of the other three remaining teams combined. Despite this financial advantage and high-profile additions, the team is failing to replicate its earlier success. The current effort is an attempt to recapture old magic that is not working. Even Ian Miller, an OutKick reporter and self-described depressed Dodgers superfan, appreciated Cowherd's comparison.

Miller stated that while the 2024-2025 Dodgers were among the best teams ever, getting pulled back in for the 2026 team might be worth it for the sake of history. He added a qualifier regarding future expectations, joking that this assessment holds as long as they do not make Megalopolis next year.