Guardians Challenge Rays as MLB Faces Ratings Slump

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Guardians Challenge the Rays as Brewers’ Layoff and TV Ratings Take Center Stage

The Cleveland Guardians hold a 2-1 series lead after unexpectedly challenging the Rays. Bob still expects the series to return to Tampa and believes the Rays will ultimately prevail, though he originally picked them to win in five games.

Bob called the Rays the best team in the American League based on their performance throughout the year. He said a Cleveland series victory would be a major upset and maintained that Tampa has a better chance than Cleveland of defeating the Brewers.

The Brewers’ long layoff could become a concern. With eight days between games, Bob said teams can quickly become rusty. He noted that some teams have handled similar breaks successfully, while others have fallen apart.

The remaining small-market teams could also create a difficult television situation. While the matchup appeals to baseball traditionalists, Bob expects limited national interest and believes the World Series ratings could be extremely low. He added that the early end to the Brewers and Dodgers series, combined with the extended break, could cause casual viewers to lose interest.

Bob said the situation also demonstrates the ratings value of the Dodgers. Despite debate about whether they are bad for baseball, he argued that their ability to attract viewers makes them valuable to the sport and its television partners.

He also pointed to limited newspaper coverage of the ALCS as an indication of national interest. Scheduling could create another challenge, with a baseball game competing against Packers-Cowboys coverage beginning at approximately the same time. Bob said moving the baseball game to FS1 would make sense because Brewers fans could also be watching the football matchup. He expects the resulting ratings to be fascinating.