• Loading stock data...
Thursday, February 6, 2025

Big-Dollar Clubs Home For MLB Playoffs, But Money Still Matters

  • Postseason field includes set of lower-budget upstarts
  • ESPN and parent Disney to exclusively show entire first round
Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 MLB postseason is shaping up to be one of the more diversely competitive in recent memory — reflecting a very changed landscape across the sport. 

The set of 12 playoff teams does not include large-market, big-spending titans such as the New York Mets and Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago Cubs, all of whom traditionally draw many of the MLB’s largest television audiences. But it does include five teams back in the postseason after multiyear absences — Arizona, Baltimore, Miami, Minnesota, and Texas — with each contributing to the league’s overall surge in attendance.

In result, this postseason will exclude the top three teams in MLB payroll but include two of the bottom four, and four of the lowest 10.

“This certainly shows that it’s difficult [for teams] to buy a ticket to the postseason,” ESPN baseball announcer Karl Ravech told Front Office Sports. “There are more than just spend-money ways to have consistency over 162 games.”

As part of a growing trend, other low-spending clubs such as the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians also engaged in postseason chases before fading late. But whether that situation will extend over multiple seasons remains to be seen, as this year’s playoff field also includes the Nos. 4-7 and 9-10 teams in player payroll. 

The wild-card round — with quadruple-headers — is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Another four games are set for Thursday if each of the four best-of-three series goes the distance.

The division series will begin on Saturday in Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, and Los Angeles, as each of those cities’ teams earned a bye. 

“This whole thing is a tournament now. That’s the beauty of this,” Ravech said. “You just get into the tournament, and anything can happen.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 31, 2013, New Orleans, LA, USA; General view of the downtown New Orleans skyline and Benson Tower and Mercedes-Benz Superdome in advance of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Battle for the Super Bowl: Can New Orleans Still Host the..

New Orleans’s Super Bowl future is up against tough competition from newer stadiums.

Trump Meets With PGA Tour to Help End LIV Golf Divide

Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour’s commissioner met with the president.

Seidler Approved As Padres Owner; Manfred on Dodgers Spending

Manfred also defends the Tampa market and the Dodgers’ offseason conduct.

NFL Exec: We’re Reaching More Fans Without Spreading Too Thin

NFL media executive Brian Rolapp is bullish on the evolution of streaming.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.

WM Phoenix Open Looks to Tame the Party After 2024 Chaos

The WM Phoenix Open has made several operational shifts this year.
February 5, 2025

NFLPA’s Austin Ekeler: Idea of 18-Game Season ‘Makes Me Cringe’

NFLPA’s Lloyd Howell opposes 18-game season, citing serious concerns for player health.
February 5, 2025

NFL Announces 2026 Rams Game in Australia Despite Player Concerns

Rams to play in Melbourne in 2026, marking NFL’s first game in Australia.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Feb 12, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A Wilson official Duke football with Super Bowl 59 LIX logo at the Super Bowl Host Committee Handoff press conference at the Super Bowl LVIII media center at the Mandalay Bay North Convention Center.
February 5, 2025

The Bold Logo Defining Super Bowl LIX

The mark is a crucial part of the Big Game’s business and mood.
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior (7) in action during the second half against Barcelona at MetLife Stadium.
February 4, 2025

Premier League Says No to U.S. Regular-Season Games

English’s top pro soccer league differs sharply from the prevailing U.S. strategy.
End Racism
February 4, 2025

NFL Ends ‘End Racism’ Super Bowl End Zones

The slogan was on the field for the last four Super Bowls.
February 4, 2025

Chiefs Owner: NFL Flag Teams Possible, Stadium Talks Progressing

Clark Hunt envisions NFL teams owning flag franchises, while Chiefs stadium talks continue.