ESPN Announces Broadcast Schedule For Upcoming MLB Games

Courtesy: ESPN

The Cubs and Brewers will go under the lights Sunday night live on ESPN.

The National League Central foes, who are one, two in the division, will close out their three-game weekend series at Wrigley Field.  Milwaukee blanked Chicago 7-0 in the series’ opener Friday.  The teams face off in the series’ second game Saturday afternoon at 2:20 p.m.

Jon Lester (3-2) is scheduled to start for Chicago in Sunday’s game.  His last time on the mound was May 7 against Miami.  Lester allowed two runs on eight hits over the course of six innings in that game, and struck out six batters.

Jhoulys Chacin (3-3) is scheduled to get the start for Milwaukee in Sunday’s game.  His last time on the mound was May 6 against Washington.  He allowed two runs, two walks, two earned runs and three hits over five innings in the game,despite the Brewers’ 5-3 win over the Nats.  Chacin also allowed one home run during his time on the mound.

Milwaukee has proven better at home than on the road so far this year, going 16-8 at home and 8-8 on the road.  However, the Brewers are in the midst of a seven-game win streak.  The Cubs meanwhile, 13-6 at home and 9-8 on the road so far this season and comes into Saturday’s game on the heels of their Friday loss to the Brewers.  The loss comes after the Cubs took three of four against Miami this week.

Sunday’s ESPN Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell broadcast launches at 7 p.m. Matt Vasgersian will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Alex Rodriguez for additional commentary.  Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call on ESPN Radio.

Sunday night’s game will also be available in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and online via the ESPN app.  It will be preceded at 6 p.m. by ESPN’s MLB pre-game broadcast of Baseball TonightSunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet.  Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined by analysts Mark Teixera and Tim Kurkjian for additional commentary.

Milwaukee will have no time to rest following Sunday’s match.  The Brewers will be back in action at home on ESPN Monday night on the network’s weekly Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA.  Monday’s game is the opener in a four-game series against the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.  The starting pitchers for Monday’s game have not been announced.

Karl Ravech will anchor Monday night’s broadcast.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts David Ross Tim Kurkjian for additional commentary.

ESPN’s MLB coverage coverage continues Wednesday with Wednesday Night Baseball presented by Hankook Tire as the Braves and Cardinals face off in the second game of a three-game cross-conference.  At this time, Michael Wacha (3-0) is the only pitcher formally announced for the game. 

Wacha is scheduled to start for St. Louis in that game.  His last time on the mound was Thursday against the Cardinals NL foes, the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Cardinals routed the Pirates 17-4 in that game, with Wacha taking the win. 

Wacha allowed four runs, one walk, one home run and four earned runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings in the game. He also struck out two batters.

The starting pitcher for the Braves was not noted at the time of this release.

Coverage of Wednesday’s game is scheduled to start at 7:20 p.m. Jon Sciambi and David Ross will have the call for the game.

More information on ESPN’s upcoming MLB broadcasts is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

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.

 

Red Sox, Orioles Open 4-Game Series Monday Night On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

The Red Sox will play host to the Orioles Monday night live on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA.

Monday night’s game is the first in a four-game series between the American League East opponents.  It replaces the network’s previously scheduled Indians-Tigers matchup.  The game will be simulcast on television and online via ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET and is subject to local blackout restrictions in each teams’ markets.

Chris Sale is expected to get the start for Boston, though mlb.com has Rick Porcello scheduled as the starter for the Red Sox.  Dylan Bundy is expected to take the mound for the Orioles.

Monday night’s series opener between the Sox and the “Orange Birds” is certain to be an interesting one, going by the numbers.  Baltimore is currently in the midst of a two-game skid, but is 6-4 in its last 10 games.  The team’s weakness is that it has performed better at home (8 – 3) so far this season than on the road (6 – 5).

By comparison, Boston has also performed far better at home (8 – 5) so far this season than on the road (4 – 6) but not quite as impressively as Baltimore.  Boston is 4 – 6 in its last 10 games and looking to bounce back Sunday from a 7 – 4 loss against the Chicago Cubs.

Win or lose in that series-ending game, Boston will be hungry for another “W.”  Looking at the overall picture painted by those numbers, Monday night’s game could go to either team.

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

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.

Cubs, Mets Open 3-Game Series Tonight On ESPN

Courtesy:  ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

Tonight on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA the Mets and Cubs face off in an interdivisional matchup.

The NL Central-leading Cubs continue their home-stand tonight when the team opens a three-game series against the Mets (NL East) on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA.  The game is the opener in a three-game series between the teams.  John Lester (9 – 4) is expected to get the start for the Cubs while Steven Matz (7 – 5) is slated to get the start for the Mets.  Lester’s last time on the mound was more than a week ago on July 9th against Pittsburgh.  The Pirates won that game in dominating fashion doubling up on the Cubs 12 – 6.  Lester threw three innings in the game, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits, 5 earned runs, 3 walks, and 2 home runs.  He struck out only 2 of 16 batters that he faced.  Teammate Adam Warren, who was credited with the loss, didn’t fare much better.  Warren only threw 2 innings but allowed 7 more runs on 5 hits in that short time along with 7 earned runs, 3 walks, and 2 home runs.  He struck out only 2 of 14 batters.

Steven Matz’s last time on the mound was roughly a week ago against the Nationals on July 10th.  The Nats won that game 3 – 2.  Matz took the loss in the game.  He threw 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits along the way along with 3 earned runs, 4 walks, and 1 home run, striking out 5 of 29 batters faced.

Even with both pitchers numbers in consideration either team could win this game and series.  Chicago is 28 – 15 at home so far on the season while New York is 23 – 22 on the road so far this season.  However, the Cubs are 4- 6 in their last ten games and the Mets 5 – 5 in their last 10 games.  The Mets come into tonight’s game with some momentum, having picked up a 5 – 0 win against Philadelphia Sunday afternoon.  The Cubs come into tonight’s series opener licking its wounds after falling 4 – 1 against the Rangers on Sunday.  So each team will have its own motivation for a win tonight when the National League foes go under the lights.

Karl Ravech will have the call for the game tonight on ESPN.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Dallas Braden and Eduardo Perez.  As an additional note the game will be blacked out in the Chicago market.  Coverage of the game is expected to begin at 7pm ET in all other markets.  More information on tonight’s game is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com

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 Two Divisional Matchups On SNB, MNB Broadcasts

Courtesy:  ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

This Sunday night on ESPN, one of baseball’s longet running and most heated rivalries continues.  No, not that rivalry.  Rather, it’s the rivalry between the Giants and the Dodgers.

Buster Posey and the San Francisco Giants will be in hostile territory as they take on Yasiel Puig and the Los Angeles Dodgers live Sunday night on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.  The game is the third in a three-game weekend series between the National League conference and divisional opponents.  Currently there is no information as to who will take the mound for either team in Sunday’s matchup or either team’s rotation.  The game is scheduled to broadcast live at 8pm ET on ESPN.  Dan Shulman will be in the booth for the call.  He will be joined by analysts Aaron Boone and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary.  Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for all of the game’s latest news, interviews, and more.  It will be shown in all markets as a full national telecast.  Karl Ravech, Dallas Braden and Tim Kurkjian will preview the game live at 7pm ET on Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown.

The action continues Monday night on Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA when Yadier Molina and the struggling St. Louis Cardinals play host to the team’s NL Central foes, Dexter Fowler and the Chicago Cubs.  The game is scheduled to air live at 8pm ET on ESPN.  Dave Flemming will be in the booth for the call.  He will be joined by analysts Curt Schilling ad Eduardo Perez for additional commentary.  The game is currently expected to air nationally in all markets.

More information on these games and all of 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 Adds NL, AL Matchups To Its MNB, WNB Broadcast Schedule

Courtesy:  ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

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

On Monday, April 18th, 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 20th 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 18th and the AL Central game set for the 20th 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.

Red Sox, Angels Face Off This Week On SNB; Mets, Nats Follow Monday On MNB

Courtesy:  ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

The Home Run Derby is done. Home field advantage for the World Series is set. All that being done, it’s time for the boys of summer to get back to work and buckle down as Major League Baseball makes its way toward the homestretch. That work includes a matchup of the Red Sox and Angels this Sunday on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.

This week on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell, ESPN will present a showdown of two American League opponents as the now two-time All-Star Game MVP Mike Trout leads the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at home against the visiting Boston Red Sox. The game is the third in a four-game series between the teams. Curretly no details have been announced in regards to who will take the mound for either team in Sunday’s game. Currently, the Red Sox sit in last place in the American League East at 42 – 47, six and a half games back from the division leading New York Yankees. Boston is 6 – 4 in its last ten games and 20 – 24 on the road versus the Angels’ 25 – 18 home record so far this season. The Angels currently lead the AL West at 48 – 40, but leads second place Houston by only half a game. L.A. is 7 – 3 in its last ten games.

Dan Shulman will have the call for Sunday’s game. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Curt Schilling and John Kruk. Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and more. Sunday’s broadcast will be preceded, as it is each week, by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet. Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast and will be joined by analyst Aaron Boone and ESPN MLB Insider Tim Kurkjian. Those that won’t be near a television Sunday night can still catch the game and Sunday Night Countdown online via WatchESPN.

Following Sunday night’s broadcast, the Nats will host the Mets in an NL East faceoff on Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA that could potentially have playoff implications. The game first of a three-game series between the divisional foes. As with Sunday’s game between the Angels and Red Sox, no details have been announed as of yet in regards to who will take the mound on either side. The Mets currently sit second in the NL East, two games back from the Nats, who currently sit at 48 – 39 on the season. The Nats are 5 – 5 in their last ten games, having won their last two games. The Mets are 47 – 42 on the season and 7 – 3 in their last ten games. They are currently in the midst of a four-game win streak as they prepare to face the Cardinals in a three-game series beginning this Friday, July 17th. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 7pm ET on ESPN and WatchESPN. It will be anchored by Dave O’Brien. He will be joined by Aaron Boone and Dallas Braden.

More information on ESPN’s MLB coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB news 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.

Cardinals, Cubs Face Off In NL Central Showdown This Week On ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball

Courtesy:  ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has a big game on tap for this weekend’s edition of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.

This  ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell, the league-leading St. Louis Cardinals host the Chicago Cubs in a pivotal NL Central showdown. The game, which could have potential playoff implications as the first half of the season winds down, will be the closer in a three-game series between the NL Central foes. The Cardinals currently sit at 48 – 24 on the season and 7 – 3 in their last ten games. The Red Birds are currently riding high on a six-game win streak. Chicago is third in the division, eight and a half games back from St. Louis, sitting currently at 39 – 32. The team is 5 – 5 in its last ten games and is currently looking to end its two-game skid. Sunday’s broadcast is expected to begin at 8pm ET. The game will be simulcast on ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking viewers. And those that won’t be near a TV during Sunday Night’s game can still catch it online via WatchESPN and on the radio on ESPN Radio. Dan Shulman will have the call for Sunday’s game. He will be joined by analysts Curt Schilling and John Kruk in the booth. Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand with all of the latest in-game news. As with every broadcast of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell, Sunday’s broadcast will be preceded by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet at 7pm ET. Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast and will be joined at the desk by analyst Aaron Boone and ESPN MLB Insider Tim Kurkjian. The broadcast will be simulcast online via WatchESPN.

The second game in the Cubs-Cardinals weekend series will air live on ESPN Radio Saturday night at 6pm ET. Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call for Saturday night’s game.

Carlos Martinez is currently expected to take the mound for St. Louis in Sunday’s game. His last time on the mound was Tuesday’s game against the Marlins. St. Louis won that game 4 – 3. He pitched seven innings in the game, allowing eight hits, three earned runs, one walk, and struck out nine batters en route to the team’s win.

Jason Hammel is expected to start for Chicago in Sunday’s game. Hammel’s last time on the mound was Tuesday against the Dodgers. The Cubs won that game 1 – 0 over the Dodgers. Hammel Pitched 7.2 innings, allowing 2 hits along the way, no runs or earned runs, only two walks, and struck out six men.

Monday night on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA Adam Jones and the Baltimore Orioles will host Prince Fielder and the Texas Rangers on ESPN. Fielder just hit his 300th home run tonight as the Rangers face the Blue Jays. It makes Fielder and his famed father only the second father/son duo since Bobby and Barry Bonds to hit 300 home runs each. Monday night’s game is the first in a four-game series that will run thought next Thursday, July 2nd. Dave O’Brien will have the call for the game. He will be joined in the booth by Eduardo Perez and Mark Mulder in the booth for additional commentary. The game will be simulcast on ESPN Deportes for ESPN’s Spanish-speaking audiences. It will also simulcast online via WatchESPN for those that won’t be close to a television during the course of the game.

Bud Norris is expected to start for the Orioles in Monday night’s game. Norris’ last time on the mound was Wednesday against the Red Sox. Baltimore dropped that game 5 – 1 with Norris pitching 5.2 innings in the game. He allowed seven hits, five runs, no earned runs, one walk, one home run, and struck out three batters in his time on the mound.

Wady Rodriguez is expected to start for Texas in Monday night’s game. His last time taking the mound was Wednesday against Oakland. He struggled in that game, allowing eleven hits, right runs, eight earned runs, three walks and two home runs over the course of four innings and striking out only four batters. By comparison, Rodriguez’s team-mate Anthony Bass only allowed two hits and one walk over the course of four innings, striking out five batters along the way. He allowed no runs, no earned runs, and no home runs in that time, too.

More information on ESPN’s Major League Baseball coverage is available online along with all of the latest baseball news 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.

ESPN Heads West For This Weekend’s Sunday Night Baseball Broadcast

MLB-on-ESPN_2012

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball is headed west this weekend for its weekly MLB broadcast.

This week’s broadcast of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell will come live from Los Angeles for an American League showdown between the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers. Sunday’s game is the closer for the teams’ 4-game series, which kicked off Thursday. The game will air live on ESPN2. The Angels dominated Detroit in the game 12 – 2 with C.J. Wilson being credited with the win for the Angels. Wilson pitched 6 innings allowing only 2 hits, 1 earned run, 5 walks, and struck out 7 batters. On the other side of the ball, Detroit’s Buck Farmer was on the mound. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 9 hits, 7 earned runs, 1 walk, and struck out 1 batter. Matt Shoemaker is expected to take the mound for the Angels in Sunday night’s game. He last took the mound this past Tuesday against the Padres, pitching seven innings, allowing 4 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, and striking out 6 batters. Shoemaker is 3 – 4 so far this season with 51 innings pitched, 48 strikeouts, and a WHIP average of 1.17. David Price is expected to take the mound for Detroit. His last game was this past Tuesday against Oakland. He pitched 7 innings in that game, allowing 5 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, and struck out 3 batters.

Currently, the Tigers sit in 3rd in the AL Central 1 ½ games back from division leader Kansas City. Detroit is 5 – 5 in its last ten games and is only slightly better on the road than at home going 14 – 9 on the road and 14 – 12 at home. Los Angeles is currently at .500 (24 – 24) at the time of this post. The team is also 5 – 5 in its last ten games and is better at home than on the road going 12 – 11 at home and 12 – 13 on the road.

Dan Shulman will have the call for Sunday night’s broadcast. He will be joined by analysts Curt Schilling and John Kruk in the booth. Reporter Buster Olney will be on the field with more insight into the night’s featured game. The game will be preceded by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet at 7pm ET. Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast. He will be joined at the desk by analyst Aaron Boone and ESPN MLB Insider Tim Kurkjian.

Monday night on Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA, the currently league-leading St. Louis Cardinals will host the struggling Milwaukee Brewers for the first of a three-game series between the teams. Jaime Garcia is expected to start for the Cardinals Monday night. His last time on the mound was this past Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. He was credited with the win in that game having pitched 6 innings. In the course of those innings, he allowed 8 hits, 3 earned runs, 0 walks, and struck out 5 batters. It is not yet known who will start for Milwaukee in Monday night’s series-opener. Monday night’s broadcast is scheduled to start at 8pm ET. Dave O’Brien will have the call for that game. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Aaron Boone and Mark Mulder.

More information on ESPN’s weekly baseball coverage is available online 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.