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.

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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.

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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

 

 

 

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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.

ESPN Networks To Offer Extensive NBA Finals Coverage

Courtesy: ESPN

ABC will have full coverage of this year’s NBA Finals.

The stage is set for this year’s clash of the champions as LeBron James and the defending NBA Champion Cavaliers facing Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors for this year’s title.  ABC, which is part of the ESPN family of networks, will carry full coverage of this year’s championship series between the teams starting Thursday, June 1 at 9 p.m.

The full schedule for this year’s NBA Finals is noted below.

NBA Finals on ABC, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes & ESPN App:

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

*if necessary

Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and Doris Burke will call the series for its eighth consecutive year together.  Steve Javie will also be on hand offering analysis on the game’s officiating.

This year’s NBA Finals marks the third straight year that the Cavs and Warriors have vied for the league’s top spot.  It marks the 15^th consecutive year that ESPN has produced the NBA Finals on ABC.  The series will be simulcast on ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes and online via the ESPN app.

Marc Kestecher will anchor ESPN Radio’s broadcast of the series alongside Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and analyst Hubie Brown and reporter Marc Stein.  This year is ESPN Radio’s 22^nd consecutive year covering the NBA Finals.  Kevin Winter and analyst Jon Barry will provide pre-game coverage live on-site leading up to each game.

ESPN’s The Jump and NBA Countdown will provide additional NBA Finals coverage throughout the series.  The Jump will air on-site throughout the series from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. while NBA Countdown will air before each game and during halftime.  The pre-game show will be evenly split between ESPN and ABC.

As if that is not enough coverage, ESPN’s First Take will also offer its own special coverage with several special prime-time broadcasts.  ESPN3 will also offer a second-screen digital look at pre-game warm-ups, post-game press conferences and much more.

ESPN International will broadcast each game internationally in Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Pacific Rim region.

More information on ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals is available online now 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.

Rex Ryan Joins ESPN’s ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ Broadcast Team

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN added a big name to its NFL broadcast team Monday.

Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan was announced as the newest addition ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown broadcast team Monday. Ryan will make his debut as a full-time member of ESPN’s roster this Saturday, April 8 at 3 p.m. ET as he calls Florida State University’s spring game in Tallahassee, Fla.

While his addition is the latest to ESPN’s NFL broadcast ranks, Ryan is no stranger to ESPN as an on-air figure.  He served as a guest analyst for ESPN during the network’s Postseason NFL Countdown on Super Bowl Sunday in Houston in February.

Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer for ESPN’s NFL studio shows, said Ryan’s matter-of-fact personality and his knowledge of the game made him a good fit for the network’s NFL studio shows.

“Rex is authentic – what you see if what you get, and that will be great for our viewers on Sunday NFL Countdown,” Markman said.  “We also look forward to the insight and perspective he will bring to the show as an NFL coach who has worked in the league for two decades.”

Ryan was upbeat as he discussed making the next move in his career.

“This is going to be a new experience for me and I am really excited about it,” Ryan said.  “I’ve been a coach for 30 years and I’ve been around football my entire life.  I’m passionate about the game – just like the fans are, and I’ve coached in the league for a long time, so that’s the perspective I will bring to ESPN.  I’m just going to show up and be myself and have fun with it.”

Ryan’s most recent NFL credentials include coaching the Buffalo Bills during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.  Before that, he served as head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 – 2014.  He led the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship appearances during his tenure in New York.

He spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, winning a Super Bowl Championship with the team at Super Bowl XXXV.  From 2005 – ’08, he served as the team’s defensive coordinator.

The son of legendary NFL coach Buddy Ryan, Rex was also honored in 2006 as the Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly magazine and the Pro Football Writers Association.

Along with his appearances on Sunday NFL Countdown, Ryan will also contribute to ESPN’s flagship news program SportsCenter and on ESPN Radio broadcasts and more.

More information on Rex Ryan’s addition to ESPN’s NFL studio shows is available online now at:

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

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 Inks Deal With MLB Superstar Mark Teixeira

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has added another big name to its list of superstar analysts.

Network officials announced this week the addition of Mark Teixeira to its staff.  The World Series Champion, 5-time Gold Glove winner, and 3-time All-Star will join the worldwide leader in sports as an analyst on its Major League Baseball programs.

The multi-year deal will see Teixeira contributing to SportsCenter, ESPN’s MLB studio programs, and ESPN Radio broadcasts.  The 14-year MLB veteran’s on-air presence is expected to begin with ESPN’s 2017 MLB Spring Training coverage.

Teixeira was humbled and excited to be the latest addition to ESPN’s roster of superstar staff members.

“I couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter of my baseball career with ESPN,” Teixeira said. I’m looking forward to being a part of their al-star rotation of commentators and to share my perspective with the fans.”

Teixeira is no stranger to ESPN.  Along with his on-field work, he has appeared many times in the past as a guest analyst on ESPN’s MLB broadcasts on ESPN Radio. That isn’t all.  He has even guest co-hosted on ESPN’s Mike & Mike.

Teixeira announced his retirement on Aug. 5, 2016.  He played in his final game on Oct. 2, 2016.  In 2009, he was a member of the World Series Champion New York Yankees lineup.  He led the American League in home runs and runs batted in that same year.

He also amassed a total of 409 home runs over the course of his career while playing for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers.

More information on this announcement 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.