September 09, 2026 | Edition #252

Hey MLB Gang,

Today’s edition looks beyond the usual game-day headlines, with a closer look at MLB’s business, expansion, and player evaluation. We cover the latest momentum behind a league expansion bid, why October has become such an important part of baseball’s business, and Joey Votto’s perspective on what Aaron Judge’s numbers may not fully capture. Let’s unpack…

Games you can tune in to tonight:

• Cleveland Guardians vs Baltimore Orioles @ 6:35 PM ET

• Miami Marlins vs New York Mets @ 6:40 PM ET

• Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox @ 6:45 PM ET

• Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves @ 7:15 PM ET

• Pittsburgh Pirates vs Chicago White Sox @ 7:40 PM ET

We decided to include the ones that could be the most thrilling - both on and off the field. Tell us your thoughts, too.

About 74% of total MLB revenue comes from local streams like regional TV contracts, local sponsorships, and ticket sales rather than national deals. In fact, regional sports networks created as brand extensions can sometimes pull in significantly more revenue than the actual baseball franchises owning them.

Thank you for reading Essentially Dugout. We’d really appreciate any feedback you have for us.