Mets, Yankees, Dodgers Lead League Championship Series

The New York Yankees face the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series, following a favorable playoff path after the elimination of the Orioles and Astros. The Yankees have dominated AL Central teams, including Cleveland, with a record of 27-8 against them this season. Meanwhile, the League Championship Series features the sport's highest payroll teams: the Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers, with the Guardians as the lowest spender. Despite high spending being linked to success, historical data shows that lower payroll teams have also achieved championships. The Mets lead with a $332 million payroll, while the Guardians stand at $109 million, raising questions about the correlation between spending and winning. Managers from various teams emphasize focusing on their players rather than payroll figures as they prepare for crucial matchups.