The Cleveland Guardians are the exception as baseball’s three biggest-spending clubs prepare for the AL and NL championship series.

Big Spender is the theme music for baseball’s final four.

The New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are in the League Championship Series with the sport’s top-three payrolls, joined by Cleveland – ranked right down at number 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 the other three teams, for the majorities, they set their line-up and go play.”

The Mets-Dodgers National League Championship Series starting on Monday and the Yankees-Guardians American League match-up beginning on Tuesday feature some of baseball’s biggest stars in Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Cleveland has the best closer in Emmanuel Clase and a top hitter in Jose Ramirez.

Playoff pairings bring to the forefront the question of whether spending equates to success.

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

The Mets have the top payroll of US$332 million, followed by the Yankees at US$311 million ($509m) and the Dodgers at US$266m, according to Major League Baseball’s latest projections (final figures aren’t calculated until winter, after all bonuses have been determined). The Guardians are at $US109m.

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

Texas were sixth in payroll last year at US$241m when they won the World Series against Arizona, who were 20th at US$129m.

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