Tigers, Rangers To Play Live On ESPN’s ‘SNB’ Broadcast On May 21

Posted on January 27, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

The countdown to the start of Major League Baseball’s 2017 season is on, and in anticipation of the season’s start, ESPN has announced one of the games to be featured on its weekly Sunday Night Basebal presented by Taco Belll broadcast schedule.

The Tigers and Rangers will face off on May 21 in an American League interdivisional matchup live on ESPN’s flagship MLB program. Coverage is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST. Dan Shulman will have the call for the game.

Shulman will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone. Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for the latest in-game interviews and news.

The Rangers’ May 21 road game against the Tigers will mark Texas’ first appearance on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell for the season. Detroit will make another live appearance on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell on July 9 against the 2016 American League Champion Cleveland Indians.

Those that won’t be near a television during either broadcast can still catch the games on the radio on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio and online via WatchESPN and the ESPN app. Spanish-speaking audiences and fans in other nations can catch games on television via ESPN Deportes and ESPN International.

More information on ESPN’s 2017 MLB 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.

ESPN To Feature Its Own Battle Of Red Vs. Blue Friday In Postseason Impact Game

Posted on September 27, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has added another matchup to its 2016 MLB postseason coverage schedule.

The Blue Jays and Red Sox will face off live this Friday on ESPN. The game, the first in the teams’ three-game weekend series, will be the network’s key MLB Postseason Impact Game telecast presented by Exxon and Mobil. Broadcast of the game is expected to begin at 7:10pm ET.

Neither team has announced its rotation for the game or who will take the mound. The weekend series will have extra meaning for Red Sox fans and for star David Ortiz. That is because this weekend’s series is the last regular season series at Fenway Park for Ortiz.

Ortiz announced ahead of the 2016 season that this season would be his last before he hangs up his cleats and bat for good. Ortiz will go out on a high note, though as the Red Sox have already clinched a spot in the postseason. So his final season will be extended at least a little bit longer.

Dan Shulman will have the call for Friday’s game. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Aaron Boone and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary. The game will be blacked out in the Boston market.

Friday’s game is just the latest in ESPN’s 2016 MLB season broadcast schedule. The Indians and Tigers will be live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes+ in a Wednesday double header schedule. The Rockies and Giants cap the night beginning at 10pm ET. The Indians and Tigers will be live again on ESPN and ESPN Deportes+ at 1pm ET on Thursday.

More information on the ESPN networks’ 2016 MLB regular and postseason coverage is available online now at:

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

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BBTN

ESPN Reveals First Slate Of MLB 2016 Postseason Broadcasts

Posted on September 18, 2016 by philspicks

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

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

Posted on September 16, 2016 by philspicks

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.

ESPN Adds NL, AL Matchups To Its MNB, WNB Broadcast Schedule

Posted on April 8, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has added two more games to its Major League Baseball broadcast schedule.

On Monday, April 18^th, the Cubs and Cardinals will face off live on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA. The game is the series-opener in a three-game set between the NL Central opponents. The game will also mark the midway point of what will be a six-game home stand for the team. No announcement has been made at this time in regards to starting lineups or pitching rotations for either team in the game. The other three games in that run will see the Cardinals host another NL Central opponent, the Cincinnati Reds. Currently the Reds sit second in the division just behind the Cubs. Dave Flemming will be in the booth for the game. He will be joined by analysts Curt Schilling and Eduardo Perez for additional commentary.

Also added to the network’s MLB coverage, the defending MLB champion Kansas City Royals will host the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, April 20^th on ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball presented by Hankook Tires. Currently the Royals sit fourth in the AL Central, one game back from the division-leading Tigers. The White Sox and Indians currently sit in second and third respectively in the division. The game will be the second in a three-game set between those two teams. Coverage is expected to begin at 7pm ET on ESPN. Jon Sciambi will be in the booth for the game. Analysts Rick Sutcliffe and Eduardo Perez will also be on hand for additional commentary. As an additional note, this game will be a full national telecast.

Both the NL Central matchup on the 18^th and the AL Central game set for the 20^th will be simulcast on television on ESPN Deportes and online via WatchESPN. More information on both of these games is available online 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. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.comphilspicks and “Like” it.

Orioles To Host Yankees On Sept. 14th Edition Of Sunday Night Baseball

Posted on August 30, 2014 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

Football season is officially underway. College football and NFL stadiums alike are now rocking every week with rabid fans on both sides of the ball. While football has taken center stage, audiences should be reminded that the 2014 MLB season isn’t over just yet. With time ticking away before the playoffs start, ESPN has announced that the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees will face off live on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell on Sunday, September 14^th.

The teams’ matchup on September 14^th will be the last in a four-game series between the teams that weekend. The series kicks off Friday, September 12^th with a double-header between the AL East rivals. Whether or not audiences are Yankees fans, the scheduled game will be an important one as it is believed that it will be the last appearance by Yankees great Derek Jeter on Sunday Night Baseball. It will also be the last for Jeter at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which is itself celebrating its 25^th season this year.

Dan Shulman will have the call for the game. He will be joined live by analyst John Kruk and reporter Buster Olney for additional commentary. Fans that won’t be close to a TV to catch the game on September 24^th can still catch it on their local ESPN Radio affiliate. Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call for audiences listening on the radio. It will also be available online via WatchESPN and on TV and radio for Spanish-speaking audiences on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes radio. As with every Sunday Night Baseball broadcast on ESPN, the matchup between the Orioles and Yankees will be preceded by ESPN’s Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet live at 7pm ET.

Tomorrow night, audiences can catch the third game in a three-game series between the Indians and Royals. The Royals currently sit atop the AL Central Standings while the Indians are third in the division, 3.5 games back. Game two is tonight at 7:10pm ET. Next Sunday night, September 7^th, ESPN will carry the third game in a three-game series between the Giants and Tigers.

More information on ESPN’s MLB coverage is available online at http://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight. 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 in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

James, Williams, Heat Lead The Night At Annual ESPYs Awards

Posted on July 18, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

Another year, another big night for the ESPYS. LeBron James and his team mates with the Miami heat were some of the big winners at ESPN’s annual sports awards show. Also on the list of the year’s big winners were Serena Williams and Michael Phelps. James led the pack with three ESPY awards. And his team mates took home the award in the “Best Team” category for the second consecutive year. James’ awards were in the categories of: “Best Championship Performance”, “Best NBA Player”, and “Best Male Athlete.” Just as his team mates won their award for the second consecutive year, so did James take home the same awards personally for the second consecutive year, too. Last night’s win brings James’ ESPY total to nine awards over the course of his career.

Serena Williams took home two awards on the night. She won in the categories of “Best Female Athlete” and “Best Best Female Tennis Player.”

Game Six of the NBA Championship finals won the award in the “Best Game” category. It was in that game that Ray Allen forced the game into overtime with a game-tying three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in the game. The Heat went on to win the game and the 2013 NBA Championship.

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick might not have won the big game this year. But he did win at the ESPYs. He took home the award in the “Best Breakout Athlete.” Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby won in the category of “Best NHL Player.” The award comes on the heels of a season that saw Crosby score fifteen goals and forty-one assists over the course of the regular season. And from the world of Major League Baseball, Detroit Tigers player and triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera brought home the award for “Best MLB Player.” Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps won the award for “Best Record-Breaking Performance.” He won the award for his record setting the all-time record for most Olympic Medals at a total of twenty-two medals. He also won this award in 2009.

In one of the night’s more emotional moments, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts took home the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Roberts, who also played a direct hand in the new ESPN/espnW film series, Nine for IX, was one of ESPN’s first female sports anchors in the 1990s. Roberts has faced both cancer and MDS yet never wavered in her fight against either life-threatening illness. The award was presented to Roberts by LeBron James.

Another of the night’s more emotional moments came in the presentation of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. The award was given to the father and son team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. The pair has competed together in over one thousand endurance events including thirty-one Boston Marathons. The younger of the duo, Rick Hoyt, is 51-years old. He was born with cerebral palsy. The condition left him unable to use his hands and legs. His father, 73-year old Dick Hoyt, pushes his son in a custom-made running chair during races including 5Ks, 10Ks, marathons and triathlons. The award was given to the duo by actor Ben Affleck.

Among some of the nights other notable winners were: Rick Pitino (Best Coach/Manager), Candace Parker (Best WNBA Player), Floyd Mayweather (Best Fighter), Missy Franklin (Best Female Olympian), Usain Bolt (Best International Athlete) and Thierry Henry (Best MLS Player). A full list of the night’s winners is available below.

SPECIAL AWARDS

ARTHUR ASHE COURAGE AWARD: Robin Roberts

JIMMY V AWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE: Dick and Rick Hoyt

BEST IN SPORT

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE: Serena Williams

BEST MALE ATHLETE: LeBron James

BEST FEMALE OLYMPIAN: Missy Franklin

BEST MALE OLYMPIAN: Michael Phelps

BEST MOMENT: Jack Hoffman TD at Nebraska spring game

BEST TEAM: Miami Heat

BEST COMEBACK: Adrian Peterson

BEST COACH/MANAGER: Rick Pitino

BEST GAME: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 6 NBA Finals

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE: LeBron James, NBA Finals

BEST PLAY:

BEST UPSET: 15-Seed Florida Gulf Coast over 2-Seed Georgetown

BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE: Colin Kaepernick

BEST RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE: Michael Phelps 22 Olympic medals

BEST MALE COLLEGE ATHLETE: Johnny Manziel

BEST FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE: Brittney Griner

BEST MALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY: Jeremy Campbell

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE WITH A DISABILITY: Jessica Long

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS

BEST MLB PLAYER: Miguel Cabrera

BEST NBA PLAYER: LeBron James

BEST WNBA PLAYER: Candace Parker

BEST NFL PLAYER: Adrian Peterson

BEST NHL PLAYER: Sidney Crosby

BEST MLS PLAYER: Thierry Henry

BEST MALE ACTION SPORT ATHLETE: Nyjah Huston

BEST FEMALE ACTION SPORT ATHLETE: Stephanie Gilmore

BEST BOWLER: Pete Weber

BEST DRIVER: Ryan Hunter-Reay

BEST FIGHTER: Floyd Mayweather

BEST MALE GOLFER: Tiger Woods

BEST FEMALE GOLFER: Stacey Lewis

BEST INTERNATIONAL ATHLETE: Usain Bolt

BEST JOCKEY: Joel Rosario

BEST MALE TENNIS PLAYER: Novak Djokovic

BEST FEMALE TENNIS PLAYER: Serena Williams

Yankees/Red Sox Rivalry Returning To ESPN, Angels & White Sox Face Off Tonight On ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball

Posted on May 12, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

One of the biggest rivalries in sports re-ignites in its latest round Sunday, June 2^nd. David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox will take on Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees will face off at 8pm that evening. Dan Shulman will host the evening’s broadcast. He will be joined by analysts Orel Hershiser and John Kruk. Buster Olney will be on hand with commentary.

Tonight’s matchup pits the Los Angeles Angels against the Chicago White Sox in the “Windy City.” Dan Shulman will host the evening’s broadcast along with his colleagues, Orel Hershiser, John Kruk and Buster Olney. The game will be available across all ESPN platforms including: ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio, WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app for mobile media. Pre-game starts at 7pm tonight. The ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Crew offered its thoughts on tonight’s games, which can be viewed right here.

Baseball Tonight analyst Aaron Boone on the C.J. Wilson- Chris Sale matchup:
With Jered Weaver down, C.J. Wilson needs to assume the head of this rotation. They need to be able to hang their hat on his starts and count on him to be close to an ace. Sale needs to get his slider down. While he’s been pretty good, he hasn’t quite been the dominant ace. I’ve seen a little bit of slider elevation from him. If he can get that pitch down, he’s an ace.

Baseball Tonight analyst Alex Cora on Wilson:
I think that the key storyline is C.J. Wilson. We’ve been talking about the Angels being a contender and Weaver being hurt. Here’s a guy that they signed last year to either be their ace or their number two and he hasn’t done it. For them to turn this around, they need him to pitch the way he’s capable of pitching.

MLB Insider Buster Olney on the Angels’ struggles this season:
Early in every season, there are a handful of teams that quickly move into desperation mode, and little more than a month into the 2013 season, that’s where the Angels stand. They cannot afford to lose more ground, and even though it’s May, this team of great stars will be playing with a sense of urgency. The Angels can turn it around, but because of the lack of depth in the pitching staff, the impetus for a comeback has to come from their offensive stars: Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Mark Trumbo.

MLB Insider Tim Kurkjian on the Angels facing Sale:
This is a big weekend series, especially for the Angels. They are in danger of falling out of the race in the West unless they start winning immediately. Their come-from-behind win Thursday night might be the spark that finally gets this team going but they are up against Chris Sale on Sunday night. I don’t know how anyone gets a hit off of that guy.

Olney on Sale’s delivery and repertoire:
Chris Sale is a one-of-a-kind pitcher, with an unusual delivery, and a nasty slider. I think Orel made a fascinating comparison: Sale reminds you a lot of the former Yankees Cy Young winner Ron Guidry, because of the quality of his slider and his angular build.

ESPN MLB Insider Pedro Gomez on the Angels’ struggles:
The Angels cannot afford to continue to spin their wheels and expect to remain in the AL West race. They need pitching to really start to shine and they absolutely need more production from their two cogs in the middle of their order, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.

Cora on Hamilton’s plate discipline:
He needs to take a step back. We get it, he’s an aggressive hitter. But right now, he’s getting 0-2 pitches in the first pitch of the at-bat. They know he’s swinging. They aren’t even trying to get ahead of him. They are going to the put-out pitch on pitch one because he’s swinging. He needs to be more patient. He has two home runs in last few days but still he needs to take some pitches. The whole league knows that he’s been very aggressive and chasing a lot. He must take a step back and see some good pitches.

ESPN MLB Insider Jim Bowden on keys for the Angels to improve:
The Angels can turn it around but they have to stay healthy. There is not enough depth to withstand injuries, as we’ve seen to date. Hamilton and Pujols must get back to MVP form. The key to the team will be the starting rotation. Blanton and Hanson have to be good enough to win 12 games and pitch 180 innings. A trade for more pitching is a must. Hamilton’s not loading and his timing is not in sync. If he corrects those two flaws he will hit. His bat speed is still there. He also must improve his strike zone awareness and cut down at swinging at balls out of the zone which is at a poor rate of 49%.

Boone on the struggling power hitters in both lineups:
If these teams are going to live up to expectations, their big guys in the middle have to get it going. We need to see production from Konerko and Dunn for the White Sox and Hamilton and Pujols with the Angels.

Cora on White Sox Manager Robin Ventura:
It’s Robin’s second year, so right now it’s his team. Obviously last year he had a great season. They made some changes and lost A.J. So, I think now he’s settled in. It has been a tough month for them, so let’s see what kind of manager he is. Last year, they kind of lost it at the end in September and they seem to be in the same pattern now. We need to see what kind of manager he will be.

Next Sunday on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, the Tigers head to the Lone Star State to take on the Rangers. The latest Sunday Night Baseball schedule is available below.

Upcoming Sunday Night Baseball schedule:

Date	Game
May 12	Los Angeles Angels at Chicago White Sox
May 19	Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers
May 26	Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
June 2	Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
July 14	St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs
July 21	New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

*Additional games for June and July will be announced three weeks in advance, while games for August and September will be made two weeks in advance.

MLB Superstars A Good “Lead Off” For The 2013 MLB Season

Posted on March 10, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: A&E Home Video/MLB Productions

MLB Productions’ latest home release is a good way to start off the New Year and a new season of baseball. MLB Superstars: Impact Players is an hour plus profile of some of Major League Baseball’s best up-and-coming players. It’s an easy to follow feature that takes audiences around the diamond focusing on the top players from both the American and National League without the unnecessary add-ons that one might see on a television take of the program. Though it was produced and edited much in the same vein of something one might see in the course of a pre-game show on MLB network or any network currently airing big league baseball.

Over the course of its near ninety-minute run time, audiences get profiles of young stars the likes of Prince Fielder, Joey Votto, Aroldis Champman, Stephen Strasburg, and many more. Their pedigrees are expertly illustrated through the eyes of those closest to them and to the game, including broadcasters, fellow and former teammates, and even managers and owners. It’s all set largely against the backdrop of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. The video quality is top notch as each player’s profile is highlighted by footage of both their performance at the All-Star Game and through games that each has played. The footage was recorded and edited by Major League Baseball. So viewers naturally get professional quality footage. Viewers even get some more lighthearted moments as they get to hear audio of the players both before and during their games. That coupled with the profiles of fellow players, managers, and broadcasters will entertain and enlighten baseball fans, thus keeping them engaged throughout the program’s run-time.

This new DVD’s main feature makes for a great introduction to Major League Baseball’s 2013 season. It serves as a way to introduce viewers to baseball’s next generation of star athletes. As an added bonus, viewers also get a brief history of the players’ walk-offs. Also, Troy Tulowitzki, who is one of those up-and-comers, gets his own feature as does San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain. Cain’s pitching performance in the Giants’ first ever perfect game closes out the disc’s bonus features. That game and the footage from the disc’s other bonus features was also produced and edited by Major League Baseball. So audiences even get in these bonuses professional quality game footage and one more way to get hyped for a new season. Together with the disc’s main feature the bonuses and the main feature mix to make another release that is everything baseball fans have come to expect from MLB Productions. MLB Superstars: Impact Players is available now and can be ordered online at http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19148216.

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

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Tag Archives: Detroit Tigers

Tigers, Rangers To Play Live On ESPN’s ‘SNB’ Broadcast On May 21

ESPN To Feature Its Own Battle Of Red Vs. Blue Friday In Postseason Impact Game

ESPN Reveals First Slate Of MLB 2016 Postseason Broadcasts

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

ESPN Adds NL, AL Matchups To Its MNB, WNB Broadcast Schedule

Orioles To Host Yankees On Sept. 14th Edition Of Sunday Night Baseball

James, Williams, Heat Lead The Night At Annual ESPYs Awards

Yankees/Red Sox Rivalry Returning To ESPN, Angels & White Sox Face Off Tonight On ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball

MLB Superstars A Good “Lead Off” For The 2013 MLB Season