"We believe we can do this" - Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez opens up about team's World Series optimism with tough stretch ahead

LA Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez feels optimistic about the team's chances of winning the World Series despite facing stiff competition. With the final stretch of the regular season ahead, the All-Stars reinstated the team's commitment to keep their strong form and enter the postseason on a high.

The Dodgers, who are currently positioned well to make the postseason, will need to finish well if they don't want to play the Wild Card round.

"We believe in each other and we believe we can do this - since the beginning of spring training," he said while speaking to ABC News. "We're going to continue to work hard, keep doing the things we know we can do, go to the end and win everything."

The Dodgers went big in the offseason, signing players worth over $1 billion. Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto made most of the noise with their big-money contracts, while Tyler Glasnow was also roped into the rotation. However, one signing that might have gone under the radar was Teoscar Hernandez's one-year, $23.5 million contract, with $8.5 million deferred till 2030.

The 31-year-old gambled on himself, rejecting multi-year contract offers and signing a one-year deal. In hopes of having a better walk year, Teoscar has hit .263 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs while also earning himself an All-Star cap. This will propel his chances at a better contract when he hits free agency again in the upcoming offseason.

Before that, he had set his sights on winning the World Series with the Dodgers.

Teoscar Hernandez: Staying healthy is the key to success

Teoscar Hernandez missed a chunk of games in 2022 due to an oblique strain and foot injury while playing for the Blue Jays. Hernandez believes that racking up appearances for the team will lead to strong outings.

"For me, just trying to stay healthy, I think that's the biggest thing," Hernández added. "When you stay healthy and you have potential everything is going to go well on the baseball field."

It remains to be seen if Teoscar Hernandez and the Dodgers can achieve the all-elusive World Series this season.