`Big Spender' is the theme music for MLB final four as high-payroll Mets, Yankees, Dodgers reach LCS

“Big Spender” is me music for baseball’s final four.

New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are in League Championship Series with sport’s top three payrolls, joined by Cleveland at No. 23.

“You have to scratch and claw and match up and make moves, take shots and hope that it works,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Whereas for or three teams, for majorities, y set ir lineup and go play.”

Mets-Dodgers National League Championship Series starting Sunday and Yankees-Guardians American League matchup beginning Monday feature some of baseball’s biggest stars in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Cleveland has best closer in Emmanuel Clase and a top hitter in José Ramírez.

Playoff pairings bring to forefront question of wher spending equates to success.

“Obviously, spending more gives you a better chance — you’re bringing in more players,” Mets reliever am Ottavino said. “But obviously it hasn’t always played out that way.”

Mets have top payroll of $332 million, followed by Yankees at $311 million and Dodgers at $266 million, according to Major League Baseball’s latest projections (final figures aren’t calculated until winter, after all bonuses have been determined). Guardians are at $109 million.

“I’m not thinking about payroll,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I’m thinking about our 26 guys and beating Mets. That’s it.”

Texas was sixth in payroll last year at $241 million when it won World Series against Arizona, which was 20th at $129 million.

only top spenders to win titles since current luxury tax started have been 2020 Dodgers , 2018 Red Sox and 2009 Yankees. Boston has won twice with a top-three payroll, as second-biggest spender in 2004 and 2007, and third-highest in 2013.

Seven of last 21 champions have h payrolls outside top 10: 2021 Braves (14th), 2017 Astros (18th), 2015 Royals (13th), 2011 Cardinals (11th), 2010 Giants (11th), 2005 White Sox (13th) and 2003 Marlins (20th).

“As far as payroll goes, ultimately it comes down to playing good baseball,” said San Diego manager Mike Shildt, whose team ranked 15th and lost to Los Angeles in a five-game Division Series .

Dodgers and Mets will be meeting in postseason for fourth time after 1988 NLCS won by LA and 2006 and ’15 NLDS won by New York. 1988 matchup was marked by ejection of Dodgers pitcher Jay Howell in Game 3 for having pine tar on his glove and 2015 NLDS was marred by Dodgers’ Chase Utley breaking a leg of shortstop Ruben Teja while trying to break up a double play. MLB responded by banned rolling body blocks before 2016 season.

After Mets took two of three at Dodger Stium this April, Los Angeles swept New York at Citi Field in late May, prompting a players-only meeting that sparked New York’s turnaround from a 22-33 start.

Jack Flaherty starts opener for Dodgers and Kodai Senga for Mets, in just his third appearance of an injury-filled season. Sean Manaea pitches Game 2 for New York, which earned three days off by beating Philelphia in a four-game Division Series .

Dodgers All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, playing with a sprained right ankle, was 4 for 14 with no RBIs in NLDS.

Cleveland and Yankees will be playing in postseason for seventh time. Cleveland won Division Series in 1997 and 2007, and it lost 1998 ALCS, Division Series in 2017 and ’22 and wild-card round in 2020. Yankees were four outs from vancing in 1997 before Sandy Alomar’s tying homer off Mariano Rivera in Game 4. Indians won series in five games and knocked out New York, which h won 1996 title and went on to win three more from 1998-2000.

Two years ago, Cleveland’s Josh Naylor angered Yankees fans with his rock--baby celebration of a home run off Gerrit Cole in Game 4.

New York won two of three at Cleveland in April and also at home in August. Having beaten Kansas City in a four-game ALDS , Yankees could go with Carlos Rodón in opener and Cole in Game 2. Cleveland, which defeated Detroit in Game 5 on Saturday , could go with Alex Cobb in Game 1.

“Obviously a tremendous bullpen,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Athletic. y defend really well. y're pretty balanced in ir attack.”