We're down to the final four in baseball's postseason bracket. The NLCS and ALCS matchups are set: the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets in the National League, and the New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians in the American League.

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

Oct 12, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Guardians celebrate defeating the Detroit Tigers during game five of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians are returning to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2016.