Tampa Bay Rays | Mental Dimes

How Low Payroll Teams Are Dominating the MLB Playoffs

Although the Dodgers and their high payroll have made it to the NLCS, the look around the league seems to be different.

MLB

Luke Conlon McQueen

Oct 156 min read

A vivid, impressionistic painting shows Fernando Tatis Jr. standing in the on-deck circle at Petco Park during a night game. Seen from behind, he wears a cream Padres uniform with “TATIS JR. 23” on the back, holding a bat resting across his shoulder and looking toward home plate. In the background, Manny Machado (#13) stands in the batter’s box, slightly blurred, preparing for the pitch. The iconic Western Metal Supply Co. building rises prominently beyond left field, glowing under stadium lights. In the foreground, a handwritten lineup card is pinned to the dugout wall, listing star players’ names. The scene uses bold brushstrokes and rich colors to contrast the anticipation of the moment with the energy of the packed crowd.

Contrary to Popular Opinion: Ranking MLB's Second Place Teams

"The second-place teams are more interesting. Are they real? Can they last the complete 162 game season? Will they make the playoffs?"

Contrary to Popular Opinion

Larry Goldman

May 54 min read

Watercolor-style collage of MLB players from multiple teams including the Blue Jays, Rays, White Sox, Rangers, and Phillies, with a baseball flying across a sky backdrop and text reading “Five MLB trades that have potentially gone under the radar.”

The 5 Most Overlooked MLB Trades That Could Change Everything

Everyone’s talking about the blockbuster deals—but these are the moves that might actually decide the season. Five under-the-radar MLB trades that could quietly reshape contenders in 2026.

The Rest

Luke Conlon McQueen

Mar 315 min read

How Low Payroll Teams Are Dominating the MLB Playoffs

Contrary to Popular Opinion: Ranking MLB's Second Place Teams

The 5 Most Overlooked MLB Trades That Could Change Everything

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