ESPN Announces Special NFL Programming Schedule Leading Up To NFL Draft

Courtesy: ESPN

The countdown to the 2018 NFL Draft is on, and in anticipation, ESPN is doing its part to build anticipation for the big pre-season weekend.

ESPN announced Tuesday a schedule consisting of more than 40 hours of original NFL programming leading up to the big event later this month.  It all starts tonight at 10 p.m. on ESPN2 with the new limited weekly series Inside The EA Sports Madden Ultimate League and continues Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 with SportsCenter Special: Mel and Todd’s Dueling Mocks.

Inside The EA Sports Madden Ultimate League takes audiences behind the scenes of what has become one of the NFL’s biggest e-sports competitions — Madden NFL ’18.  Viewers will be introduced to the tournament’s competitors who will be vying for the first-ever Ultimate League championship and part of a $500,000 cash prize.

In the second night of coverage leading up to the draft, Mel Kiper and Todd McShay go toe-to-toe with their mock drafts in an hour-long SportsCenter special.  Suzy Kolber will anchor the broadcast.  ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter will also be on hand throughout the broadcast for additional insight and commentary.

The second week of the ESPN networks’ special NFL draft leadup coverage opens April 10 at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2 in Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL.  Produced by NFL Films, this four-part series follows soon-to-be NFL rookies Saquon Barkley and Bardley Chubb as they wind down their college football careers in preparation for professional careers on the gridiron.  It will be followed at 9 p.m. on ESPN2 by SportsCenter Special: Draft Room Simulation.

SportsCenter Special: Draft Room Simulation is an hour-long presentation that takes audiences behind the scenes of what happens in each team’s war room on draft day.  Trey Wingo will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined by NFL Hall of Famer and former NFL General Manager Bill Polian, former NFL Director of Pro Personnel Louis Riddick, NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay and NFL reported Field Yates.  Yates also formerly worked in coaching and scouting with the Patriots and Chiefs.

The second week of the ESPN networks’ buildup to the draft winds down April 12 at 7 p.m. on ESPN with We The Fans: Dallas.  This four-part-series follow a dozen Cowboys fans over the course of the 2017 season.  Replays of the hour-long episodes will be available via the ESPN app and ESPN Video on Demand.

The third and fourth week of the ESPN networks’ special NFL programming schedule includes additional special episodes of SportsCenter, NFL Matchup and College GameDay.  The ESPN networks’ full pre-draft programming schedule is noted below.

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

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/nfl

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ESPNNFL

 

 

Debut Episodes:

Date	Time (ET)	Show	Network(s)
Tue, Apr 3	10 p.m.	Inside The EA SPORTS Madden Ultimate League: The Long Hustle	ESPN2
Wed, Apr 4	7 p.m.	SportsCenter Special: Mel and Todd’s Dueling Mocks	ESPN2
Tue, Apr 10	8:30 p.m.	Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL (Episode 1)	ESPN2
	9 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: Draft Room Simulation	ESPN2
	10 p.m.	Inside The EA SPORTS Madden Ultimate League: Strategy & Stick Work	ESPN2
Thu, Apr 12	7 p.m.	We the Fans: Dallas presented by Meguiar’s (Episode 1)	ESPN
	8 p.m.	We the Fans: Dallas presented by Meguiar’s (Episode 2)	ESPN
	9 p.m.	We the Fans: Dallas presented by Meguiar’s (Episode 3)	ESPN
	10 p.m.	We the Fans: Dallas presented by Meguiar’s (Episode 4)	ESPN
Tue, Apr 17	7 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: QB2QB with Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield	ESPN
	7:30 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: QB2QB with Russell Wilson and J.T. Barrett	ESPN
	8 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: QB2QB with Russell Wilson and Mason Rudolph	ESPN
	8:30 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: QB2RB with Russell Wilson and Saquon Barkley	ESPN
	9:30 p.m.	Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL (Episode 2)	ESPN
	10 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: You’ve Got Mel and Todd	ESPN
	10 p.m.	Inside The EA SPORTS Madden Ultimate League: Game On Lock	ESPN2
Wed, Apr 18	8:30 p.m.	NFL Matchup: Draft Special (Episode 1)	ESPN2
Thu, Apr 19	8 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: Mel and Todd’s Mock Draft	ESPN
Tue, Apr 24	7 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: NFL Nation Mock Draft	ESPN
	9:30 p.m.	Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL (Episode 3)	ESPN
	10 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: Best of QB2QB with Russell Wilson	ESPN
	10 p.m.	Inside The EA SPORTS Madden Ultimate League: 4th & Inches	ESPN2
	10:30 p.m.	NFL Matchup: Draft Special (Episode 2)	ESPN2
Thu, Apr 26	6 a.m.	Golic and Wingo	ESPN Radio, ESPNEWS*
	3 p.m.	NFL Live presented by Corona Extra	ESPN
	5 p.m.	College GameDay Built by The Home Depot	ESPN
	7 p.m.	NFL Draft Countdown presented by ZipRecruiter	ESPN
	8 p.m.	2018 NFL Draft presented by Courtyard (Round 1)	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes
	8 p.m.	College Football Primetime at The NFL Draft presented by Courtyard (Round 1)	ESPN2
Fri, Apr 27	6 a.m.	Golic and Wingo	ESPN Radio, ESPNEWS*
	3 p.m.	NFL Live presented by Corona Extra	ESPN
	5 p.m.	College GameDay Built by The Home Depot	ESPN
	6 p.m.	NFL Draft Countdown presented by ZipRecruiter	ESPN
	7 p.m.	2018 NFL Draft presented by Courtyard (Rounds 2-3)	ESPN/ESPN2, ESPN Radio, ESPN3 (in Spanish)
Sat, Apr 28	12 p.m.	2018 NFL Draft presented by Courtyard (Rounds 4-7)	ESPN, ABC
	7 p.m.	EA Sports Madden NFL 18 Ultimate League Championship	ESPN2
Sun, Apr 29	8 p.m.	SportsCenter Special presented by Maui Jim: Draft Grades	ESPN2
Tue, May 1	8:30 p.m.	Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL (Episode 4)	ESPN

 

 

 

Advertisements

Notre Dame, Miami To Headline ESPN Networks’ College Football Week 11 Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

Two of college football’s Top 10 teams will headline this week’s college football broadcast schedule across the ESPN networks.

No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 10 Miami will go under the lights Saturday night on ABC’s Saturday Night Football presented by Wells Fargo.  Saturday’s matchup marks only the fourth time that Notre Dame and Miami have faced each other since 1990 and the first time Miami has hosted Notre Dame since 1989.

Saturday’s matchup has plenty of key story lines.  Notre Dame running back Josh Adams is working hard to make his case for the Heisman Trophy this year.  So far this season, he has racked up almost 1,200 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.  The Fighting Irish’s head coach Brian Kelly has led a dramatic turnaround for the team this season, too.  After finishing last season at 4-8, this season has seen the team go 8-1 so far.

Miami head coach Mark Richt is in only his second year at the Hurricanes’ helm, has the team in the national spotlight for the first time in more than a decade.

While the Irish and ‘Canes are the headliners for this week’s ESPN networks college football broadcast schedule, it is only one of the games on that extensive schedule.  The networks’ Week 11 coverage opens Tuesday, Nov. 7 with a double header as Miami (Ohio) hosts Akron on ESPN2 and Buffalo hosts Bowling Green on ESPNU.  Coverage of both games is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

The action continues Nov. 7 with another double header on ESPN2 and ESPNU respectively.  Toledo and Ohio are up first at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.  Eastern and Central Michigan follow at 8 p.m. on ESPNU.

North Carolina is on the road Thursday against Pittsburgh, with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN Radio.  Over on ESPNU, Appalachian State plays host to Georgia Southern beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Friday will see yet another double header with the struggling Cincinnati Bearcats hosting the Temple Owls at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and UNLV hosting BYU at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Saturday sees lots of action beginning at high noon as No. 15 Iowa State hosts No. 11 Oklahoma State either on ABC or ESPN2.  Seven more games are also scheduled across the networks at noon including games on ESPN Radio, the SEC Network and ESPN3.  This week’s action winds down Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. on ESPNU as Wyoming plays on the road against Air Force.

The ESPN networks’ full college football week 11 broadcast schedule is noted below.

ESPN’s Week 11 College Football Programming Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Tues, Nov 7	7:30 p.m.	Akron at Miami (Ohio) Kevin Negandhi, Rocky Boiman, Quint Kessenich	ESPN2
		Bowling Green at Buffalo Kevin Brown, Ray Bentley	ESPNU
Wed, Nov 8	7 p.m.	Toledo at Ohio Chris Cotter, Desmond Howard, Quint Kessenich	ESPN2
	8 p.m.	Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan Mike Corey, Tom Luginbill	ESPNU
Thu, Nov 9	7:30 p.m.	North Carolina at Pittsburgh TV: Dave Flemming, Joey Galloway, Booger McFarland, Laura Rutledge Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie, Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN and ESPN Radio
		Georgia Southern at Appalachian State Mark Neely, Jay Walker	ESPNU
Fri, Nov 10	7 p.m.	Temple at Cincinnati Dave Lamont, Mack Brown, Jen Lada	ESPN2
	10:30 p.m.	BYU at UNLV Adam Amin, Dusty Dvoracek, Molly McGrath	ESPN2
Sat, Nov 11	Noon	No. 11 Oklahoma State at No. 15 Iowa State Mike Patrick, Tommy Tuberville, Paul Carcaterra	ABC or ESPN2*
		No. 20 NC State at Boston College Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams	ABC or ESPN2*
		Arkansas at No. 19 LSU Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Julie Stewart-Binks	ESPN
		Connecticut at UCF Mike Couzens, John Congemi,	ESPNU
		Missouri Valley  at MidAmerica Nazarene	ESPN3
		No.  24 Michigan State at No. 6 Ohio State Bill Rosinski, David Norrie, Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN Radio
		Louisiana at Ole Miss Dave Neal, Matt Stinchcomb, Dawn Davenport	SEC Network
		Merchant Marine Academy at Coast Guard Academy Dave Weekley, Matt Chatham	ESPN3
	12:10 p.m.	Indiana PA at West Chester	ESPN3
	12:20 p.m.	No. 13 Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech	ACC Network Extra
	1 p.m.	Tiffin at Grand Valley State	ESPN3
		Western Illinois at Indiana State	ESPN3
		Stetson at Jacksonville	ESPN3
	1:30 p.m.	Wofford at VMI	ESPN3
	2 p.m.	Middle Tennessee at Charlotte	ESPN3
		Youngstown State at Southern Illinois	ESPN3
		The Citadel at Furman	ESPN3
		Mercer at Western Carolina	ESPN3
		Jacksonville State at Tennessee-Martin	ESPN3
	3 p.m.	Wake Forest at Syracuse	ACC Network Extra
		Northern Iowa at Missouri State	ESPN3
		Illinois State at South Dakota State	ESPN3
		East Tennessee State at Samford	ESPN3
	3:30 p.m.	Iowa at No. 9 Wisconsin Joe Tessitore, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe	ABC
		Florida State at No. 4 Clemson Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay	ESPN
		West Virginia at Kansas State Anish Shroff, Mike Golic Jr., Roddy Jones	ESPN2
		Virginia at Louisville Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia	ESPNU
		Charleston Southern at Kennesaw State	ESPN3
		South Dakota at North Dakota State	ESPN3
	4 p.m.	Kentucky at Vanderbilt Taylor Zarzour, Andre Ware, Olivia Harlan	SEC Network
		San Jose State at Nevada Shawn Kenney, Al Groh	ESPN3
		Georgia State at Texas State	ESPN3
		Nicholls at Stephen F. Austin	ESPN3
	4:30 p.m.	Troy at Coastal Carolina Jim Barbar, John Gregory	ESPN3
	5 p.m.	UTEP at North Texas	ESPN3
		Arkansas State at South Alabama Matt Stewart, Forrest Conoly	ESPN3
	6 p.m.	Kansas at Texas Lowell Galindo, Ahmad Brooks, Kris Budden	LHN
	7 p.m.	No. 2 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi State Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill Radio: Marc Kestecher, Barrett Jones	ESPN and ESPN Radio
		Purdue at Northwestern Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman	ESPN2
		New Mexico at Texas A&M Clay Matvick, Kirk Morrison	ESPNU
		Florida Tech at Delta State	ESPN3
		Northwestern State at McNeese	ESPN3
		Sam Houston State at Abilene Christian	ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	Tennessee at Missouri Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic	SEC Network
	8 p.m.	No. 3 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor	ABC
	10 p.m.	Oregon State at No. 22 Arizona Mark Jones, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich	ESPN2
	10:15 p.m.	Wyoming at Air Force Roy Philpott, Tom Ramsey	ESPNU

Not all ESPN3 and ACC Network Extra Games are Exclusive
*Reverse-mirror game

More information on this week’s schedule is available online now along with all of the latest college football headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/college-football

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb

 

 

 

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.

No. 19 Michigan, No. 2 Penn State To Headline ESPN Networks’ College Football Week 8 Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

The start of Week 8 in college football’s 2017 – ’18 season is almost here.

Week 8 starts with a Thursday night double-header schedule.  Arkansas State plays host to Louisiana live at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU to open the night.  That game will be followed at 8 p.m. on ESPN with Houston playing host to No. 25 Memphis.

The weekend’s action continues Friday night with another double-header schedule beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 as Marshall plays on the road against Middle Tennesse.  Colorado State and New Mexico follow at 10:15 on ESPN2.

Saturday offers a jam packed, near daylong schedule that will be headlined by a matchup of No. 19 Michigan at No. 2 Penn State live on ABC’s Saturday Night Football presented by Wells Fargo.  Coverage of the game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s game carries big implications for the Nittany Lions.  The team upset then-No. 2 Ohio State in what has come to be its “White Out” game live on Saturday Night Football.  That win would be the precursor to the Nittany Lions’ Big 10 Championship and Rose Bowl appearance.  The win also would be Penn State’s ninth consecutive win on the season.

Michigan is the last Big 10 team to defeat Penn State, going back to Sept. 2016.  The team also has the edge on Penn State, winning the teams’ last three matchups.

While the Wolverines and Nittany Lions are the headliners for the ESPN networks’ college football week 8 schedule, they are not the only teams that will play live across the networks this weekend.  No. 10 Oklahoma State and Texas open Saturday’s schedule at noon on ABC.  No. 18 Michigan State will play host to Indiana at 3:30 p.m. on ABC while No. 24 LSU will be on the road against Ole Miss at 7:15 p.m. on ESPN.

The full schedule for the ESPN networks’ coverage of Week 8 in college football’s 2017 – ’18 season is noted below.

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Thu, Oct 19	7:30 p.m.	Louisiana at Arkansas State Mark Neely, Ray Bentley	ESPNU
	8 p.m.	No. 25 Memphis at Houston Dave Flemming, Andre Ware, Laura Rutledge	ESPN
Fri, Oct 20	7 p.m.	Marshall at Middle Tennessee Dave Lamont, Mack Brown, Julie Stewart-Binks	ESPN2
	10:15 p.m.	Colorado State at New Mexico Adam Amin, Dusty Dvoracek, Molly McGrath	ESPN2
Sat, Oct 21	Noon	No. 10 Oklahoma State at Texas Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay	ABC
		Louisville at Florida State TV: Mark Jones, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich Radio: Bill Rowsinski, David Norrie, Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN & ESPN Radio
		Iowa at Northwestern Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Kris Budden	ESPN2
		Tulsa at Connecticut Mike Couzens, John Congemi	ESPNU
		Idaho at Missouri Dave Neal, Matt Stinchcomb, Dawn Davenport	SEC Network
		Akron at Toledo	ESPN3
		St. Francis (PA) at Duquesne	ESPN3
		William Penn at Peru State	ESPN3
		San Diego at Jacksonville	ESPN3
	12:20 p.m.	Pittsburgh at Duke	ACC Network Extra
	12:30 p.m.	Boston College at Virginia	ACC Network Extra
	1 p.m.	Grand Valley State at Ferris State	ESPN3
		Liberty at Monmouth	ESPN3
		Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina A&T	ESPN3
		Morgan State at Howard	ESPN3
	1:30 p.m.	Mercer at Furman	ESPN3
		Western Carolina at VMI	ESPN3
		Samford at Wofford	ESPN3
	2 p.m.	Northern Illinois at Bowling Green Michael Reghi, Jerod Cherry	ESPN3
		Kent State at Ohio Dave Weekley, John Gregory	ESPN3
		Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan Dan Gutowsky, Marcus Ray	ESPN3
		Troy at Georgia State Matt Stewart, Wayne Gandy	ESPN3
		West Alabama at Florida Tech	ESPN3
		Youngstown State at Northern Iowa	ESPN3
		The Citadel at Chattanooga	ESPN3
		Albany State at Clark Atlanta	ESPN3
	2:30 p.m.	Buffalo at Miami (Ohio) Doug Sherman, Tyoka Jackson	ESPN3
	3 p.m.	Central Michigan at Ball State Jim Barbar, Hutson Mason	ESPN3
		Jacksonville State at Eastern Illinois	ESPN3
		South Dakota at Illinois State	ESPN3
		South Dakota State at Missouri State	ESPN3
	3:30 p.m.	Indiana at No. 18 Michigan State Dave Flemming, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill	ABC
		Syracuse at No. 8 Miami Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams	ESPN
		North Carolina at No. 14 Virginia Tech Mike Patrick, Tommy Tuberville, Paul Carcaterra	ESPN2
		Coastal Carolina at Appalachian State	ESPN3
		Western Illinois at North Dakota State	ESPN3
	4 p.m.	SMU at Cincinnati Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia	ESPNU
		Kentucky at Mississippi State Taylor Zarzour, Andre Ware, Olivia Harlan	SEC Network
		Southern Illinois at Indiana State	ESPN3
		Houston Baptist at Stephen F. Austin	ESPN3
		Lamar at Sam Houston State	ESPN3
		Bloomsburg at East Stroudsburg	ESPN3
	5 p.m.	North Texas at Florida Atlantic	ESPN3
		Louisiana-Monroe at South Alabama Brock Bowling, Watson Brown	ESPN3
	7 p.m.	Gardner-Webb at Kennesaw State	ESPN3
		No. 16 South Florida at Tulane Clay Matvick, Kirk Morrison	ESPN2
	7:15 p.m.	No. 24 LSU at Ole Miss Joe Tessitore, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe	ESPN
	7:30 p.m.	No. 19 Michigan at No. 2 Penn State Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Tom Rinaldi, Maria Taylor	ABC
		Wake Forest at Georgia Tech Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Roddy Jones	ESPNU
		No. 21 Auburn at Arkansas Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic	SEC Network
	8 p.m.	Tarleton State at Texas A&M-Kingsville	ESPN3
	10:15 p.m.	Wyoming at Boise State Roy Philpott, Tom Ramsey	ESPN2
	10:45 p.m.	Colorado at No. 15 Washington State Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman	ESPN

Please note:  Note all ESPN3 and ACC Network Games are Exclusive

More information this weekend’s schedule is available online along with all of the latest college football headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/college-football

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb

 

 

 

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 Close 2017 MLB Regular Season Schedule With “Western” Showdown

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will close out its coverage of Major League Baseball’s 2017 regular season later this month with a modern day “Western” showdown.

The Dodgers and Astros will face off Sept. 24 live in ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.  Los Angeles currently leads the NL West at 92 – 51, 11 games ahead of the division’s second-place team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Houston leads the AL West at 86 – 57, 13 games ahead of the second place Angels.

Neither team has announced its starting lineup for the game, which will be the closer for the teams’ three-game series.  The game is currently scheduled for an 8:05 p.m. start time according to the league’s official website.

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

Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the game’s call on ESPN Radio.

More information on ESPN’s coverage of the team’s Sept. 24 game is available online now along with all of the latest Major League Baseball 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 Announces Week 1 NFL Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has announced the broadcast schedule for the opening week of the National Football League’s 2017 – ’18 season.

The network will open Week 1 with Samantha Ponder and Rex Ryan making their debut appearances on Sunday NFL Countdown Sept. 10.  The three-hour program will air at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN and will also feature appearances by analysts Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss and Charles Taylor.  Also expected to appear for the broadcast will be ESPN Insiders Chris Mortensen, Louis Riddick, Adam Schefter and senior fantasy sports analyst Matthew Berry.

Sal Paolantonio will have all of the latest pre-game reports on the Eagles-Redskins matchup while Diana Russini is scheduled to report on the Raiders – Titans showdown. ESPN Radio will carry the prior game live Sunday at noon as part of a double header schedule that also includes a live broadcast of the Colts and Rams at 4 p.m.

Jeff Darlington and Dan Graziano will report on matchups between the Jags and Texans and the Steelers and Browns respectively.

Josina Anderson will be on site for the Seahawks and Packers while Jim Trotter will have all of the latest pre-game headlines from the site of the Giants – Cowboys matchup. Graziano’s appearance and that of Russini will be debut appearances for each reporter on Sunday NFL Countdown.

Monday Night Football rounds out ESPN’s Week 1 NFL coverage with a special double header schedule on Sept. 11. The first game on the night will see the Vikings playing host to the Saints in Minneapolis while Denver will host San Diego in the night’s second game.

Sean McDonough will have the call for the night’s lead-off game and will be joined in the booth by Jon Gruden for more commentary.  Lisa Salters will be on the sidelines with all of the latest news and interviews throughout the game.

Beth Mowins will make her MNF debut as she calls the night’s second game, which is set to start at 10:15 p.m. ET.  She will be joined by Ryan for additional commentary.  ESPN Deportes’ Sergio Dipp will be on the sidelines for all of the game’s latest news and interviews.

ESPN2 will carry a Spanish simulcast of MNF while both games will be streamed online via the ESPN app.

Before Monday night’s first kickoff, Suzy Kolber will host a two-hour edition of Monday Night Countdown beginning at 5 p.m. ET.  She will be joined by Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Charles Woodson and Steve Young live from US Bank Stadium for additional commentary.

ESPN NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter and Louis Riddick will join them live from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, CT.  Features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck will be in Denver and will present a profile on former Chargers Public Relations Director Bill Johnston.

Johnson made the difficult decision during the offseason to vacate his position with the team so that he could stay in San Diego as his wife battles Huntington’s Disease, which she has battled since 1999.  According to the Mayo Clinic, Huntington’s Disease is a genetic disease that causes brain cells to degenerate over time, causing problems with the patient’s “functional abilities” and “usually results in movement, thinking and psychiatric disorders.”

Along with all of its coverage on television and radio, ESPN Magazine’s brand new 2017 NFL Preview Issue, due to hit newsstands Sept. 8 will have projections for every team in the league.  Fantasy Football Now will have up-to-the-minute reports from every game Sunday, too.

More information on ESPN’s Week 1 NFL coverage is available online along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/nfl

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ESPNNFL

 

 

 

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 Radio Announces NBA Finals Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

The 2017 NBA Finals begin in only a day, and ESPN Radio will carry full coverage for fans that won’t be near a television to enjoy the championship series.

Network officials announced Wednesday the ESPN Radio broadcast team of Marc Kestecher, Hubie Brown and Marc Stein will cover each of the series’ games. A one-hour pre-game broadcast will precede each game beginning at 8 p.m. ET on weeknights and 7 p.m. on Sundays.  Kevin Winter and analyst Jon Barry will handle on-site studio coverage during pre-game and halftime.

As an additional bonus for audiences, ESPN’s Jalen & Jacoby will air at 7 p.m. ahead of pre-game coverage on weeknights.  Freddie & Fitz will air following each game until 3 a.m.  It will offer audiences full post game coverage and analysis with live reaction from coaches and players.

As if that extensive coverage is not enough, ESPN Radio will also present a special NBA Finals Special from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on June 4. Ari Temkin will anchor the broadcast. A second broadcast will air from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. June 18 if Game 7 becomes necessary.

Those not near a radio can still hear the game on ESPN Radio online via ESPNRadio.com, the ESPN app and Sirius XM Channel 80.  Apple Music, Slacker Radio and TuneIn will also carry coverage.

ESPN Radio’s full NBA Finals broadcast schedule is noted below.

ESPN Radio broadcast schedule:

Date	Time (ET)	Telecast
Thu, Jun 1	9 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 1 Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Sun, Jun 4	8 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 2 Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Wed, Jun 7	9 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 3 Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers
Fri, Jun 9	9 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 4 Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers
Mon, Jun 12	9 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 5* Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
Thu, Jun 15	9 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 6* Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers
Sun, Jun 18	8 p.m.	NBA Finals Game 7* Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors

*if necessary

More information on ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/nba

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

 

 

 

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.