SMALL-MARKET-WORLD-SERIES — Chart. This AP digital embed chart shows the payroll rank of every team that has played in the World Series since 1985. For the first time since 1991, two teams with bottom-half payrolls will meet in the World Series. Milwaukee will face Tampa Bay starting Oct. 23. The matchup comes as baseball owners push for a salary cap, which they argue is needed to help small markets compete with big spenders. Milwaukee, with MLB’s 19th-highest payroll, swept the Dodgers to win the NL pennant. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay ranks 25th. MLB owners have proposed a salary cap, but players oppose it. A management lockout threatens the 2027 season.This chart is current as of Oct. 21, 2026, and will not update. Source: MLB.

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