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MLB on verge of fielding strongest market-based playoff field in years

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Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

With the regular season winding down and only a few playoff spots still left to decided, MLB is on the verge of a potential ratings bonanza. For the first time since 2007, the nation’s three largest media markets – New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago – have qualified or are positioned to qualify teams for the postseason. With apologies to the berths received from the Angels, Cubs, and Yankees in 2007, this year sets up even better for ratings gold. The Cubs and Mets have already clinched their berths, while the Dodgers and Yankees hold sizable leads over their division and the wild card, respectively. With the Los Angeles Angels only a half game out of the second wild card spot, a late season push by them would place five of the six major market teams in the playoffs at one time, with the Chicago White Sox being the one team left standing at the gate.

Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

A strong field of challengers from major markets matters to those at MLB because ratings help drive revenue. Stronger ratings provide baseball’s media partners with increased leverage while negotiating ad fees, which in turn makes the MLB playoffs a more valuable property when the league is renegotiating its media rights with the networks. MLB partners also see increased exposure from more eyeballs on the playoffs as well, further strengthening their relationship with the league and its players.

The larger media markets mean higher ratings because those cities will be glued to the television while the playoff games are being broadcast. Those teams also have strong brand recognition among casual fans. People who aren’t huge baseball fans will still watch a Cubs game. The Yankees still drive ratings even though they don’t have as many big-name players as they have had in previous years.

Of course this could all mean nothing if the Cubs and Yankees lose in their wildcard games or the Angels don’t qualify for the postseason. The Cubs will play the Pittsburgh Pirates in a one-game playoff, while the Yankees may end up playing the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or Minnesota Twins. For ratings success MLB has to be hoping for a Yankees/Angel matchup. The other markets and teams simply aren’t as big of a draw as the Cubs, Yankees or Angels. This means MLB may only have those marquee teams and markets for one game instead of at least three or more.


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