As the MLB postseason heats up, one former star is already dreading a potential Fall Classic matchup—not because of the teams involved, but because of what it could mean for the league's financial future.
Anthony Rizzo, who spent years in the bright lights of Chicago and New York, isn't shy about his feelings on a possible World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. On the Ross and Rizzo Unfiltered podcast with former teammate David Ross, Rizzo didn't hold back: "It would be (expletive) terrible."
His reasoning? It's not about disliking either club—in fact, he respects their old-school, fundamentals-first approach. But he fears that if two of the league's lowest-spending teams reach the pinnacle, owners across MLB will use that as a green light to slash payrolls even further.
"How cool would it be to have the Brewers and the Rays in the Fall Classic?" Ross asked. Rizzo's answer was blunt: "It would be amazing because, yes, I love the old school, bunt a guy over, get a guy over, the fundamentals, right? But if the Rays and the Brewers are in the World Series, every single owner is gonna say, 'why can't we be them?' And they're not gonna want to spend any more money."
The 2026 postseason has already delivered surprises. The Brewers took a 1-0 lead over the Dodgers in the NLCS, a series that has seen Dodgers fans enduring another rough outing. Meanwhile, the Rays are battling the Guardians in the ALCS, with both teams ranking among the lowest payrolls in baseball. Milwaukee sits near the bottom third of MLB payroll rankings, while Tampa Bay and Cleveland are perennial penny-pinchers.
Contrast that with the Dodgers, who boast the highest active roster payroll at over $300 million—a number that dwarfs the combined spending of several small-market clubs. Rizzo's concern is that a Brewers-Rays World Series would send a dangerous message: "Why invest in stars when you can win with a budget?”
He elaborated: "So, that's why I would hate it." But he also admitted he'd enjoy watching either team hoist the trophy, praising their execution of the little things that make baseball beautiful.
Rizzo's comments come on the heels of his recent criticism of the Yankees' postseason mentality, a topic he's been vocal about after another October flop in the Bronx. His perspective carries weight, having played for big-market franchises where spending is expected—and where failure to spend is often blamed for shortfalls.
For now, the baseball world watches as the underdogs continue their march. Whether the Brewers or Rays can finish the job remains to be seen, but Rizzo's warning is clear: a low-budget World Series could have consequences that reach far beyond the field.
