Cubs, Cardinals Close Out Series Live This Afternoon On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up their four-game series this afternoon live on ESPN.

The National League Central foes are scheduled to take to the field at 4 p.m. ET for the game in a special presentation of Holiday Baseball presented by Hankook Tire.  St. Louis (17-15) has taken two of the series’ games while Chicago (23-18) will look to split the series with the Red Birds.

Johan Oviedo (0-1) is expected to get the start for St. Louis in this afternoon’s game. His last time on the mound was Sept. 2 against Cincinnati.  The Reds won that game 4-3.  Giovannny Gallegos (1-1) took the loss for the Cardinals.

Oviedo pitched 4.2 innings in the game, allowing three hits, one walk and three earned runs while striking out five batters.

Kyle Hendricks (4-4) is scheduled to get the start for Chicago in this afternoon’s game.  His last time on the mound was on Sept. 2 against Pittsburgh.  Chicago won that game 8-2, with Hendricks credited with the win.  He pitched 6.2 innings, allowing one run, one earned run, and two walks on six hits.  Additionally, Hendricks struck out six batters and allowed just one home run.

Chicago leads the NL Central and is fourth overall in the National League, behind Los Angeles, San Diego, and Atlanta.  The Cardinals have defied the odds in the teams’ series, because the team has proven better on the road this season (9-8) than at home (8-7).

Chicago meanwhile has proven equally strong on the road and at home.  The Cubs have gone 13-11 at home and 10-7 on the road so far this season.

Counting the two wins so far against Chicago, St. Louis has won three straight while Chicago is now in a three game slide, so both teams will have a lot for which to play.

Matt Vasgersian will anchor this afternoon’s broadcast on ESPN.  ESPN analyst and MLB World Series Champion Alex Rodriguez will provide additional commentary.  ESPN Senior MLB Insider Buster Olney will have additional news for the game.

Along with its broadcast on ESPN, this afternoon’s game will also simulcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN App.

More information on ESPN’s Major League Baseball 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 Kicks Off 2015 MLB Post Season Coverage Tonight

Courtesy: ESPN

The 2015 MLB Playoffs are here!

In only a couple of hours, ESPN will kick off its coverage of the 2015 MLB post season. It all begins with a live broadcast of the American League Wild Card Game presented by Hankook Tires at 8pm ET tonight. Tonight’s AL wildcard game will pit the New York Yankees, who are no stranger to the post season, against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Whoever wins tonight’s game will go on to face Kansas City in the ALDS. That series kicks off October 8th. While both teams come into the post season on equal footing–NY is 45 – 36 at home while the Astros as 45 – 36 on the road–Houston would seem to have at least a little bit more of an advantage having gone 6 – 4 in its last ten and taken two of three against the D-backs over the weekend. NY meanwhile finished off the regular season on a three-game skid after having been swept by the Orioles over the weekend. The Astros will be hungry to keep the wins coming while the pinstripers will be looking heavily to get back on the winning track.

Jessica Mendoza will have the call for tonight’s game on ESPN. She will be the first-ever female analyst to call an MLB post season game. She will be joined in the booth by fellow analyst John Kruk and his Sunday Night Baseball co-host, veteran play-by-play man Dan Shulman. ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney will also be on hand for tonight’s game with all of the latest in-game news. Baseball fans not near a television need not worry about missing tonight’s broadcast. That is because the game will be simulcast on ESPN Radio stations across the country. Dave O’Brien and Aaron Boone will have the call for ESPN Radio. It will also air live online via WatchESPN and on ESPN Deportes for ESPN’s Spanish-Speaking audiences. And tomorrow night, ESPN Radio will also have full coverage of the National League Wild Card Game between the Pirates and Cubs. Coverage begins at 8pm ET. Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call and commentary for the game. More information on ESPN’s 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

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.