# World Series Matchup Destroys Salary Cap Argument

> Small market teams beat big spenders in World Series, weakening MLB's salary cap case.
- Title: World Series Matchup Destroys Salary Cap Argument | Shortify
- Summary: Small market teams beat big spenders in World Series, weakening MLB's salary cap case. World Series matchup between Brewers and Rays, both low payroll teams…
- Keywords: world series, milwaukee brewers, tampa bay rays, mlb, salary cap, small market teams, player payroll, sports, World, Series, Matchup, Destroys
- Source: Fastball On SI — https://si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/world-series-matchup-completely-destroys-owners-argument-for-salary-cap-curt9
- Published: 2026-10-20T19:18:52+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: world series, milwaukee brewers, tampa bay rays, mlb, salary cap, small market teams, player payroll, sports
## World Series Set
The Tampa Bay Rays won Game 6 of the American League Championship Series to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.
## Dodgers' Three-Peat Push
The Los Angeles Dodgers had won back-to-back World Series titles and were aiming for a three-peat, a major sticking point for MLB's salary cap argument.
## Small Market Teams Remain
With the Dodgers eliminated, the World Series features two small market teams: the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays.
## Low Payrolls Challenge Argument
The Brewers and Rays have two of the lowest payrolls in baseball, with the Brewers ranking 19th in player payroll.
## Brewers Sweep Dodgers
The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games, proving small market teams can win without big spending.
## Rays Eliminate Yankees
The Tampa Bay Rays eliminated the New York Yankees in the ALDS, with the Yankees behind only two teams in player payroll.
## Salary Cap Argument Weakened
The World Series matchup undermines MLB's claim that a salary cap would improve fairness, as small market teams outperformed big spenders.
## Key takeaway

World Series matchup between Brewers and Rays, both low payroll teams, undermines MLB's argument for a salary cap by showing parity without big spending.