Big-Market Teams Could Take Six Spots In MLB Playoffs

The start of the MLB Playoffs next week will likely re-energize a sport that has largely fallen off the sports map without any traditional late season drama. However, the thought of CC Sabathia facing Ryan Howard in the Fall Classic could point to the start of a disturbing trend of big-budget clubs dominating the postseason spots. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig maintains the league has the “best competitive balance we’ve ever had,” but six of the nine teams with nine-figure payrolls entering the season are on pace to make the Playoffs. Beneficiaries of big-market teams playing deep into October are Fox and TBS, who no doubt will see larger ratings and demand for ad space. TBS currently is 75% sold for its coverage of the Division Series and NLCS, claiming its sales levels are near where they were last year despite the down economy. Fox adds it is 80% sold for the ALCS and World Series.