FT Leadoff

Roaring Royals, Yankees Slashing Payroll? Philly Winning History

Foul Territory Staff
May 23, 2024

Cole Ragans strikes out a career-high 12 as the red-hot @Royals win their 6th in a row!
— MLB (@MLB)
8:47 PM • May 22, 2024

The AL Central is one of the most competitive divisions in baseball right now.

Cole Ragans dominated on Wednesday to put a bow on Kansas City’s second perfect homestand of six games or more this season, inching the Royals within two games of first place in the division.

At 32-19, they hold the third-best record in the AL, just like we all predicted.

Hal Steinbrenner shared some interesting thoughts on the Yankees payroll.
“I’m gonna be honest, payrolls at the levels we’re at right now are simply not sustainable for us financially.”
(Via: @DanMartin_Post)
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV)
11:28 PM • May 22, 2024

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner was candid about the team’s payroll just hours before Juan Soto’s multi-homer game because baseball is funny like that.

According to Spotrac, the Yanks have the league’s second-highest payroll at just over $305M, but nearly $100M is coming off the books at the season’s end.

Soto, represented by Scott Boras, will likely demand top-dollar, so get your popcorn ready!

Phillies 11, Rangers 4. It's the best 50-game start in Phillies history. It's the best 50-game start in Major League Baseball since the 2001 Mariners. It's ... something. The Phillies are 36-14.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb)
1:30 AM • May 23, 2024

The Phillies, who still hold the best record in baseball, have won a casual 28 of 34 games since April 15.

Philadelphia will send Zack Wheeler to the bump this afternoon in search of a sweep of the defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers.

Watch - FT Senior Insider Ken Rosenthal weighs in on the best young shortstops in the game, whether or not Paul Skenes will change how young pitchers are handled, and Shota Imanaga’s CY Young path!

Listen to the brand new team podcast on the FT Network! - Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney discuss the Cubs moving Kyle Hendricks to the bullpen, Craig Counsell’s managing methods, and the club’s recent offensive struggles on North Side Territory!

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