Baseball’s final four teams are the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cleveland Guardians. These teams have the highest and lowest payrolls in the league, with the Mets leading at $332 million, followed by the Yankees at $311 million, the Dodgers at $266 million, and the Guardians at $109 million.
The playoffs have brought up the debate of whether spending more money leads to more success in baseball. While having a higher payroll can give teams access to more talented players, it doesn’t always guarantee a championship. Teams like the 2021 Braves, 2017 Astros, and 2015 Royals have won titles despite not having top-10 payrolls.
The Dodgers and Mets will face off in the National League Championship Series, marking their fourth postseason meeting. The Yankees and Guardians will compete in the American League matchup, continuing their postseason rivalry. Both series promise exciting matchups between some of baseball’s biggest stars.
In the Dodgers-Mets series, Jack Flaherty will start for Los Angeles, while Kodai Senga will take the mound for New York. The Yankees could go with Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole in their series against the Guardians, who might start Alex Cobb in Game 1.
Ultimately, the key to success in baseball comes down to playing good baseball, regardless of payroll size. While money can certainly help teams acquire talent, it’s the performance on the field that determines the ultimate outcome. Fans can expect thrilling games as the final four teams battle it out for a spot in the World Series.
