Astros, Indians Look To Take Weekend Series Tonight Live On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

In just a few hours, the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians will finish their three-game weekend series, and the series’ rubber match will be broadcast live tonight on ESPN.

The American League Central-leading Indians (22 – 22) take on the American League West-leading (and defending World Series Champion) Houston Astros (29 – 18) in the closer of the teams’ series as part of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.  Broadcast of tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

Matt Vasgersian will have the call for tonight’s game.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Alex Rodriguez for additional commentary.  Reporter Buster Olney will be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

Tonight’s broadcast will be preceded by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet.  The pre-game broadcast starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Carlos Carrasco (5 – 2 so far on the season) is expected to get the start for Cleveland. His last time taking the mound was May 14 against Detroit. He took the loss in that 6 – 3 loss to the Tigers, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 home run, 2 walks (one being intentional), and four strikeouts.  While those numbers are not bad, Carrasco will be looking to get a fresh start tonight when he takes the mound for the Indians.

Lance McCullers, Jr. (5-2) is expected to start for Houston.  He was also last on the mound May 14.  In his case, his last game was against the Angels, who won that game 2 – 1 against the Astros.  McCullers allowed 2 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings in that game, as well as 2 earned runs and 2 walks. He struck out 6 batters over that time.  Since he has had time to rest up, he will be looking for his own fresh start tonight.

Tonight’s game is another one that could go either way in looking at the numbers.  the Astros have played far better on the road so far this season, going 16 – 7 on the road while the team has been more tepid at home, going 13 – 11.  The Indians meanwhile have been better at home (13 – 9) than on the road (9 – 13).

Houston has gone 7 – 3 in its last 10 games while Cleveland has gone 5 – 5 in its last 10 games, with its most recent being a win against Houston.

More information on tonight’s broadcast and all of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell games is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at http://www.espn.com/mlb.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Indians, Orioles Close 3-Game Series Sunday Live On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will feature an American League interdivisional matchup this weekend on Sunday Night Baseball.

The American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians will play host to the Baltimore Orioles (American League East) live at Progressive Field.  Broadcast of Sunday’s game is currently scheduled to start at 8 p.m. with Dan Shulman on the call.

He will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone for additional commentary.  Reporter Buster Olney will be on hand for all of the game’s latest news and interviews.

Sunday night’s broadcast will be preceded by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet at 7 p.m. ET.  Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast and will be joined by David Ross and Tim Kurkjian for additional commentary.

Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the game’s call on ESPN Radio.  They will also call the second game in the teams’ three-game series Saturday on ESPN Radio.

Trevor Bauer (15 – 8) is expected to get the start for Cleveland Sunday night while  Jeremy Hellickson (8 – 8) is expected to take the mound for Baltimore.

Cleveland is currently looking strong as the regular season nears its end. It was riding a 14-game win streak at last report and was looking for its 15^th straight win Thursday night as it played the Chicago White Sox.  It earned its 14^th straight win against the White Sox Wednesday night in a 5 – 1 win.

Cleveland’s home record has proven respectable, too at 36 – 29 so far this season.  The Indians have proven to be just as good on the road as at home, too, going 47 – 27 so far this season on the road.

Baltimore currently sits third in the AL East, eight games back from the division-leading Boston Red Sox.  The Orange Birds have struggled this season on the road, going 27 – 39 so far on that record.  The team has done considerably better at home with a 44 – 30 home record so far and will be looking to bounce back in this weekend’s series after falling to the Yankees at home Thursday 9 – 1.

More information on Sunday’s series closer between the Orioles and Indians is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at http://www.espn.com/mlb.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Reveals First Slate Of MLB 2016 Postseason Broadcasts

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN is carrying its audiences into Major League Baseball’s 2016 post season.

The worldwide leader in sports has announced that it will cover a handful of games in Major League Baseball’s 2016 post season beginning with an NL West showdown between longtime rivals the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

The NL West opponents will face off live on ESPN2 beginning at 10pm ET.  The Dodgers currently lead the division while the Giants are five and a half games back.

On Friday, ESPN will carry coverage of the Cubs and Cardinals beginning at 2pm ET.  The Cubs have already clinched the National League Central title and sit atop the MLB standings.

The AL Central-leading Indians will be on the road against the Tigers in one more of ESPN’s post season games on Sept. 29.  Coverage of that game is expected to begin at 1pm ET.  The Tigers currently sit more than seven games back from the Indians in the AL Central race.

More MLB Postseason Impact Games on ESPN will be announced soon.  Each game will be streamed online live via WatchESPN along with their coverage on television.

More information on the ESPN networks’ MLB postseason coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

TBS To Feature AL Central Showdown on ‘Sunday MLB On TBS’

Courtesy: Turner Sports

TBS’ Sunday MLB on TBS returns this weekend with a matchup of 1 versus 2 in the American League Central.

The Tigers and Indians will round out a three-game weekend series Sunday afternoon live on TBS. Cleveland will play host to the Tigers in the series.  Coverage of Sunday’s game begins at 1pm ET.

Trevor Bauer is expected to get the start for Cleveland in Sunday’s AL Central showdown while Daniel Norris is expected to take the mound for Detroit.  Norris’ last time on the mound was September 12 against Minnesota. Detroit got the win in that game, 4 – 2.  Norris had a strong night on the mound, allowing only two runs on five hits over six innings, two earned runs, two walks, and 2 home runs.  He had 11 Ks along the way

Only three days have passed since Bauer’s last time on the mound.  That game was Tuesday against the White Sox.  Bauer took the loss in the game, allowing six runs on six hits over 5.1 innings and one walk.  He allowed six earned runs and had seven Ks.

This weekend’s series between the Tigers and Indians is hugely important for both teams as the regular season is winding down very quickly.  The Tigers sit second in the AL Central, six games back from the division-leading Indians.  Cleveland has been strong at home this season, going 47 – 25 so far while Detroit has been lackluster at best on the road going 36 – 36 so far this season on the road.

Detroit has been far better at home, going 42 – 35 at home so far this season. On the other side of the coin, Cleveland is 37 – 37 on the road so far this season.  So the numbers favor Cleveland in this weekend’s series, including Sunday’s game between the divisional foes.

Ernie Johnson will have the call for Sunday’s game.  He will be joined in the booth by analyst Ron Darling and co-analyst and MLB Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. for additional commentary.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.