ESPN Networks To Offer Extensive Little League Classic Coverage Sunday

Posted on August 17, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will present a special extended Major League Baseball broadcast Sunday.

The network will bring audiences the first-ever Little League Classic, which will see the St. Louis Cardinals taking on their National League Central foes, the Pittsburgh Pirates live at the renovated Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, PA – the location of the Little League World Series.

The broadcast will be preceded at 6 p.m. by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet. Karl Ravech will anchor the hour-long broadcast and will be joined by analyst David Ross and reporter Tim Kurkjian for the broadcast.

Dan Shulman will have the call for Sunday’s game on Sunday Night Baseball. He will be joined by his Sunday Night Baseball cohorts Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone for the broadcast.

Kurkjian will also be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and interviews. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will also be on hand during the game.

Along with interviews with Manfred and other highlights, ESPN will present interviews with various MLB stars and personnel. Images of those and other non-MLB figures as Little Leaguers will also be displayed throughout the game.

Sunday’s regular-season matchup between the Cardinals and Pirates will be the closer in a four-game series between the National League Central foes. St. Louis currently sits third in the division, 2.5 games back from the division-leading Chicago Cubs, while Pittsburgh sits just below the Cardinals in fourth, 5.5 games back.

Mike Leake (7 – 11) is scheduled to get the start for the Cardinals Sunday while Ivan Nova (10 – 10) is expected to take the mound for Pittsburg.

The Cardinals-Pirates matchup is just one of the games set for Sunday’s ESPN MLB schedule. Mendoza and Boone will provide commentary for the Little League World Series on ABC beginning at 1 p.m.

Ravech will cover two of the series’ games – 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – and two editions of Baseball Tonight – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Kurkjian will also be on two editions of Baseball Tonight along with his work on the Little League Classic.

Baseball Tonight presented by Oscar Meyer will air at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. with Adnan Virk and David Ross. Each broadcast will be from a different location at the Little League World Series.

The full schedule for the ESPN networks’ Little League World Series and Little League Classic is noted below.

ESPN’s Williamsport schedule for Aug. 20:

Time	Telecast	Network
10 a.m.	(13) International: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 3 presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods at Volunteer Stadium Karl Ravech, Tim Kurkjian, Sebastian Salazar	ESPN2, ESPN App
11 a.m.	(14) US: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 4 presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods at Lamade Stadium Dave Flemming, Kyle Peterson, Julie Foudy	ESPN, ESPN App
1 p.m.	*Baseball Tonight presented by Oscar Mayer* Adnan Virk, David Ross	ESPN, ESPN App
1 p.m.	(15) International: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 7 presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods at Volunteer Stadium Karl Ravech, Aaron Boone, Jessica Mendoza, Sebastian Salazar	ABC, ESPN App
2 p.m.	(16) US: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 8 presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods at Lamade Stadium Dave Flemming, Kyle Peterson, Julie Foudy	ESPN, ESPN App
4 p.m.	*Baseball Tonight presented by Oscar Mayer* Adnan Virk, David Ross, Karl Ravech, Tim Kurkjian	ESPN, ESPN App
6 p.m.	*Baseball Tonight presented by Oscar Mayer* Karl Ravech, David Ross, Tim Kurkjian	ESPN, ESPN App
7 p.m.	*MLB Little League Classic* on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell Dan Shulman, Jessica Mendoza, Aaron Boone, Tim Kurkjian	ESPN, ESPN App, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio

More information on the ESPN networks’ baseball coverage is available online along with all of the latest baseball news at:

Website: http://espn.go.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.

Cubs And Mets Meet In Series’ Rubber Match Tonight On ESPN

Posted on July 19, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has released its Major League Baseball broadcast schedule for this week. And it is a very busy one now that the race for the post season is on. It all begins tonight on ESPN as the Mets take on the Cubs in Chicago.

The Mets take on the Cubs live tonight on ESPN in Chicago in the second game of a three-game series between the National League opponents. Coverage begins at 7pm ET. Jake Arrieta (12 – 4) is scheduled to get the start for Chicago in tonight’s interdivisional match. Arrieta has had a little more than a week off since his last time on the mound. That was July 8^th against Pittsburgh. That game was not an easy one for the 30-year old. He threw 6 innings, allowing a total of 6 runs on 9 hits, 6 earned runs, 1 walk, and 2 home runs, striking out only 6 of 28 batters along the way.

On the other side of the ball Noah Syndergaard is slated to get the start for the Mets in tonight’s game. He has had roughly the same amount of time as Arrieta to rest up for tonight’s game. His last time on the mound was July 8^th when the Mets took on the Washington Nationals. The Nats won that game 3 – 1 with Syndergaard taking the loss for the Mets. He allowed 3 runs on 4 hits over 4.2 innings. He also allowed 3 earned runs, 3 walks, 1 home run and struck out 5 of 19 batters. Even with those numbers in consideration he still fared somewhat better than Arrieta during his last outing. In the bigger picture the Cubs took the win in the series’ opener Monday night 5 – 1. And Chicago’s 29 -15 home record far outweighs the Mets’ 23 – 23 road record. At the same time both teams are 4 – 6 in their last ten games. So New York can’t be completely counted out tonight or Wednesday.

Karl Ravech will have the call for tonight’s NL matchup between the Cubs and Mets. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Dallas Braden and Eduardo Perez for additional commentary. As an additional note, while the game will be broadcast on television on ESPN, it will be blacked out both in the New York and Chicago market. More information on tonight’s game 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

Cubs, Mets Open 3-Game Series Tonight On ESPN

Posted on July 18, 2016 by philspicks

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 9^th 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 10^th. 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

ESPN Headed To Chicago For Sunday’s Edition Of SNB

Posted on June 15, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

The Pirates and Cubs are back under the lights this week on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.

The NL Central foes will face off this Sunday night live on ESPN in the closer of a three-game weekend series. It is believed at this time that Kyle Hendricks will get the start for the host Cubs in Sunday’s game. Hendricks is currently 4 – 6 so far on the season when starting and 1 – 2 in his last three games. His last time on the mound was this past Monday, June 13^th against the Nationals, a game in which he struggled mightily. He allowed four runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. He also four walks, three earned runs, and one home run over that time, while striking out only one of the twenty-seven batters that he faced. That aside, nearly a week will have passed since his last time on the mound. So fans can hope that he will be rested up and ready to go and help keep the Cubs atop the league and division standings.

Along with being the last game in the teams’ weekend series, Sunday’s game will also be the third in a six-game home stand for the Cubs. Once that series is done, the Cubs will go on to host the Cardinals in another three-game series from Monday, June 20^th – Wednesday, June 22^nd before heading back out on the road on June 23^rd against the Marlins. Fans can only hope that having that knowledge and rest will help Hendricks when he takes the mound this Sunday.

Sunday night’s broadcast will be a special one both for ESPN and for fans on both sides of the ball. That is because it is part of the network’s Sunday From the Seats initiative. These are games that will be called not from the booth but from unique locations inside the ballpark. Dan Shulman will have the call for the game. He will be joined by Aaron Boone and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary. Reporter Buster Olney will be on hand on the field with all of the game’s latest news and interviews. Coverage is expected to begin at 8pm ET. More information on Sunday’s game is available 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

ESPN Spotlighting National League In Its June MLB SNB Broadcast Schedule

Posted on May 20, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has added three big matchups to its Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell MLB broadcast schedule for 2016.

On Sunday, June 5th the San Francisco Giants will face off against the St. Louis Cardinals. The game will be the last of a long 10-game road stretch for the Giants and the closer in the teams’ 3-game weekend series. Broadcast of the game is scheduled for 8pm ET. It will be preceded, as always by ESPN’s pre-game broadcast of Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet. Currently there is no word on who will take the mound for either team or on either tea’s rotation for the night.

The second game that has been added to ESPN’s June Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell schedule is a matchup NL Central opponents Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs currently lead not only the NL Central but the league overall while the Pirates are a distant second in the division and even farther back in the overall league standings. That game, scheduled for Sunday, June 19^th, will be the closer in the teams’ 3-game weekend series. It will be preceded at 7pm ET by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet on ESPN.

The third game added to ESPN’s June Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell schedule will see the Pirates play host to the Dodgers in yet another National League showdown on Sunday, June 26th. Los Angeles will be well-rested coming into the game having gotten a day off after a 7-game home stand. It will be the closer in the teams’ three-game weekend series. And as with the previous games, will b preceded by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown on ESPN.

Dan Shulman will be in the booth for all three games. He will be joined by analysts Aaron Boone and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary. Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for additional news and interviews throughout each game.

As an additional bonus for fans, ESPN will also carry a special double header on Sunday, June 12^th that begins at 5pm with yet another NL matchup—this time between the Pirates and Cardinals. The Giants will play host to the Dodgers at 8:30pm ET to close out the day. Both games, and the network’s other scheduled games will be simulcast on television on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, on Radio via ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio, and online via WatchESPN. More information on ESPN’s upcoming June MLB broadcast schedule 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

Cubs, Pirates Face Off In Key NL Central Matchup Tonight On MNB

Posted on May 2, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

The Pittsburgh Pirates took 2 of 3 against the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend, winning 4 – 1 and 5 – 1 Friday and Saturday respectively. But the Reds got a bit of revenge Sunday night, taking the last of the teams’ 3-game series 6 – 5 in extra innings. Now after that tough loss the Pirates look to regroup as they are set to face yet another NL Central foe this week in the form of the Chicago Cubs. The teams face off this week in a 3-game series that begins tonight. And ESPN will have full coverage of the series’ opener in this week’s edition of Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA.

Tonight’s game (and the series in whole) will have major implications for both teams even this early in the season. That is because there’s more than just NL pride on the line. The team’s cross city rivals, the White Sox, currently sit at 18 – 8 on the season so far. The Cubs on the other hand are 17 – 6 so far on the season. In the NL ranks, the Cubs are currently trying to hold off the second place Washington Nationals (17 – 7). A win tonight (and wins Tuesday and Wednesday) would help the Cubs pad their lead over the Nats. It would also help the Cubs in their rivalry with the White Sox. On the other side of the ball, a win in tonight’s series opener (combined with wins Tuesday and Wednesday) would help the Pirates as they battle with the Phillies and the Cubs for position.

Gerrit Cole is currently expected to start for the Pirates tonight. He is 2- 2 so far on the season. His last time on the mound was six days ago on April 26^th against Colorado. The Pirates routed the Rockies in that game 9 – 4 with Cole pitching six innings. Cole didn’t have the greatest game, allowing 4 runs and 2 earned runs on 8 hits, and 1 home run. He walked 2 and struck out 3. This was all against 27 total batters. Thanks to good fielding on Pittsburgh’s side and just as many problems for Colorado’s bullpen, the Pirates were able to pull off the win.

Starting for the Cubs tonight will be Jason Hammel. Hammel is currently 3 – 0 on the season. He has had plenty of time to rest and prepare for tonight’s game. That’s because his last time on the mound was seven days ago against the Reds. The Cubs blanked the Reds in that game 9 – 0. Hammel was credited with the win having pitched 6 innings. He was in top form in the game, too, allowing 0 runs on only 3 hits. He walked only 2 of the 23 batters that he faced and struck out 7 while allowing 0 home runs and 0 earned runs. Red pitcher Alfredo Simon meanwhile struggled mightily in the game, pitching only 2.2 innings before being pulled. In that short time, he allowed 8 runs, 8 earned runs, and 2 home runs on 10 hits. He walked only 1 of the 18 batters that he faced and struck out only 3. So needless to say that Hammel will be on his A-game tonight.

Adding to the interest for tonight’s game (and this week’s series) is that while Pittsburgh and Chicago are evenly matched in their home records—Pittsburgh is 7 – 4 at home so far this season to Chicago’s 7 – 3—the visiting Cubs are 10 – 3 on the road so far to Pittsburgh’s 8 – 6 road record. Chicago is 7 – 3 in its last 10 games while Pittsburgh is 8 – 2 in its last 10. So when all of the numbers are added up, they show tonight’s game to be full of fireworks for both sides. The same can be said of Tuesday and Wednesday’s games, too.

Dave Flemming will be in the booth for tonight’s game. He will be joined by analysts Dallas Braden and Eduardo Perez for additional commentary. ESPN Deportes will simulcast the game for the network’s Spanish-speaking audiences. More information on tonight’s game 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

ESPN Announces SNB Season Finale, First Post Season Game

Posted on September 12, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

It’s hard to believe but another season of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell is almost over.

Officials with the worldwide leader in sports announced this week that the season finale of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell will be Sunday, September 27th. The season finale will see the Pittsburgh Pirates taking on their NL Central foes the Chicago Cubs. There is currently no word on who will take the mound for either team in that game or either team’s rotation. The matchup will be a big one for both teams as both are currently in the hunt for a wild card spot in the playoffs. Coverage of the game is expected to begin at 8pm ET on ESPN. The game will also be simulcast on radio, television, and online via ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio, and WatchESPN.

Dan Shulman will have the call for the Pirates/Cubs matchup, which will be the closer in a three-game series between the teams. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and John Kruk. Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for additional commentary and news. Sunday night’s broadcast of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell will be preceded, as always by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet. Coverage for that broadcast begins at 7pm ET. Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast. He will be joined at the desk by analyst Aaron Boone and reporter Tim Kurkjian.

Along with its season finale of Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell, ESPN has also announced the first game in its coverage of the 2015 MLB post season. In the first game of the post season, recently acquired Troy Tulowitzki and the Toronto Blue Jays host Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees on Tuesday, September 22nd. Fans can see the game on television and online via ESPN and WatchESPN. The remaining schedule of regular season games on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell is listed below.

Upcoming Sunday Night Baseball schedule

Date	Telecast
September 13	*Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles presented by Taco Bell*
September 20	*New York Yankees at New York Mets presented by Taco Bell*
September 27	*Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs presented by Taco Bell*

As an added bonus ESPN will also carry the 2015 AL Wild Card game on Tuesday, October 6th. 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

ESPN Networks To Carry Full Coverage Of This Weekend’s Dodgers-Pirates Series

Posted on August 7, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

The ESPN family of networks has a special treat for baseball fans this weekend. It will bring full coverage of the Dodgers and Pirates this weekend in the teams’ weekend-spanning three-game series.

ESPN and family of networks will bring baseball fans full coverage of this weekend’s three-game series between the Dodgers and Pirates. It all kicks off tonight at 7pm ET on ESPN and WatchESPN with coverage presented by Taco Bell. Gerrit Cole is expected to get the start for the Pirates in tonight’s game while Clayton Kershaw will get the start for the Dodgers. Cole’s last start was this past Saturday against the Pirates’ NL Central foes, the Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati got the win in that game, defeating Pittsburgh 4 – 3 with Cole taking the loss. Cole pitched five innings in that game, throwing a total of ninety-eighty pitches, sixty-six of which were strikes for a roughly sixty-eight percent strike rate. Speaking of strikes, Cole struck out five of twenty-three batters that he faced. He allowed four hits, two runs, two earned runs, one home run and walked two.

Clayton Kershaw last took the mound last Saturday against the Angels. The Dodgers got the 3 – 1 win in that game with Kershaw being credited with the win. Kershaw pitched one hundred fifteen pitches over eight innings in the game, seventy-seven of which were strikes. That’s a roughly sixty-seven percent strike rate. Of the twenty-six batters that Kershaw faced, he struck out seven, allowing only two hits, no runs and no earned runs among them. He walked only one.

Coming into tonight’s series’ opener, Los Angeles sits third in the National League standings behind the Cardinals and Pirates three games ahead of the Giants in the NL West. So this game and the pair to follow will be crucial for both teams as the race for the post season heats up. The Dodgers are currently 62 – 46 on the season, and 6 – 4 in their last ten games with two of those last ten being wins for the team. Tonight’s series opener will be especially interesting because both the Dodgers and Pirates have proven to be better at home than on the road. As a matter of fact, the teams’ home records are nearly identical with Pittsburgh currently going 36 – 18 at home so far this season and the Dodgers going 37 – 18 at home so far this season. Both teams’ road records are equally unstable. Pittsburgh has accrued a 26 – 26 road record while Los Angeles has gone 25 – 28 on the road so far this season.

Dan Shulman will have the call for tonight’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 reports and news from around the league.

The ESPN networks’ coverage of the series between the Pirates and Dodgers continues Saturday afternoon on ESPN Radio as Matt Latos and Francisco Liriano take to the mound for the Dodgers and Pirates respectively. John Sciambi will have the call for that game. He will be joined by analyst Chris Singleton. Coverage for Saturday night’s game is scheduled for a 3pm ET start.

This weekend’s coverage of the Dodgers and Pirates is rounded out Sunday night on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell and Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet. Karl Ravech will anchor Sunday night’s edition of Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet, which begins at 7pm ET. He will be joined at the desk by Aaron Boone, Tim Kurkjian, and reporter Nicole Briscoe. Those that won’t be near a TV can catch Sunday Night Countdown on ESPN Radio, hosted by Jon Sciambi. It will also be simulcast online on WatchESPN and on ESPN Deportes for MLB’s Spanish-speaking audiences. Dan Shulman will have the call on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell. That broadcast is scheduled for an 8pm ET start. Shulman will be joined in the booth once again by his SNB cohorts Curt Schilling and John Kruk and on the field by reporter Buster Olney. Charlie Morton is expected to get the start for Pittsburgh and Alex Wood for Los Angeles.

More information on the ESPN networks’ coverage of this weekend’s series between the Pirates and Dodgers 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

ESPN Sets Its Sights On NL Playoff Race Sunday And Monday On SNB, MNB

Posted on July 29, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

August, for most people, is part of what is known as the “dog days of summer.” It is one of the hottest times of the year weather-wise. It is also one of the hottest times of the year for Major League Baseball. That is because things really start to get heated in the race for the playoffs. And this weekend things will definitely get hot in the Big Apple as the Mets host the Nationals on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell in a National League showdown that will definitely have playoff implications for both teams.

Sunday’s game will be the closer in a three-game series between the NL East foes. The series kicks off Friday evening at Shea Stadium. Noah Syndergaard is expected to take the mound for the hometown boys while Jordan Zimmerman is expected to start for the Nats. Syndergaard’s last time taking the mound was Tuesday against the Padres and was credited with the win in that game. He pitched eight innings, allowing only three hits, no runs, no earned runs, and no walks En route to the win. He also struck out nine batters and allowed no home runs.

Zimmerman’s last time on the mound was Tuesday against Miami. Zimmerman took the loss in Miami’s 4 – 1 win over the Nats. He allowed eight hits, three runs, three earned runs, and two walks over six innings and struck out only two batters before being pulled in the seventh.

The Nationals currently lead the National League East division with the Mets trailing in second place by only a single game. Right now the Mets sit precariously in seventh place in the National League standings only a spot ahead of eighth place Arizona, who sits right now at 48 – 51 on the season. New York currently sits 52 – 48 on the season and split its last ten games going 5 – 5 along the way. However, the team is currently in the midst of a three-game win streak that includes a win Tuesday night against the Padres in New York. Tuesday’s game is part of a three-game home stand against the Padres that wraps Thursday night at Shea Stadium. By the numbers, the Mets are much better at home (35 – 16) than on the road (17 – 32). That bodes well for the Mets as the team continues its home stand this weekend against the Nats as they, too are better at home than on the road, going 28 – 19 at home and 24 – 27 on the road so far this season.

Dan Shulman will have the call for Sunday night’s game between the Mets and Nats. He will be joined by his SNB cohorts-analysts Curt Schilling and John Kruk—in the booth. Reporters Buster Olney will also be on hand with all of the latest news and updates on the game and from around the league. Broadcast is scheduled to begin at 8pm ET. It will be preceded, as it is each week, by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet, at 7pm ET. Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast and will be joined by analyst Rick Sutcliffe and reporter Nicole Briscoe. Those that won’t be near a TV Sunday night can still catch both broadcasts online via WatchESPN. Sunday’s game will be simulcast in Spanish via ESPN Deportes for ESPN’s Spanish-speaking audiences.

* * *

Monday night on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA, the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series between the NL Central foes. This series, too has playoff implications as both teams are in the hunt for the post-season with Pittsburgh currently sitting second in the National League at 58 – 41, five and a half games back from the NL-leading Cardinals. Chicago sits sixth in the National League standings at 52 – 47. Pittsburgh has split its last ten games, going 5 – 5 along the way and has won its last two games. Before hosting the Cubs next Monday, Pittsburgh looks to finish off the Twins tonight in the teams’ two-game series before heading to Cincinnati to face the struggling Reds in a four-game series that wraps this Sunday night. While Pittsburgh is far better at home than on the road, the team’s series against Cincinnati could improve its road record if the Reds’ struggles continue. And that could play into Pittsburgh’s momentum as it opens its series against the Cubs Monday night. Dave O’Brien will have the call for Monday’s game. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Aaron Boone and Dallas Braden for additional commentary and coverage. Monday’s game will be simulcast on television and online via ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and WatchESPN. Currently there is no information regarding who will take the mound for the Pirates or Cubs for Monday’s game. Fans on both sides of the ball can keep up with that information online now along with all of the latest baseball news at:

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

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

Pirates Host Cards This Weekend On ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball

Posted on May 9, 2014 by philspicks

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s 25^th season covering Major League Baseball rolls on this Sunday as the Worldwide Leader in Sports comes to Pittsburgh for a matchup of the Pirates and Cardinals. It all starts at 7pm ET with ESPN’s Baseball Tonight live on ESPN.

Sunday night’s 8PM ET broadcast of the Pirates/Cardinals matchup on Sunday Night Baseball is an important landmark for ESPN as it will be the first time since July 28, 1996 that ESPN has broadcasted a Sunday Night baseball game live from PNC Park and the first time since that day that ESPN has broadcasted its weekly pre-game program, Baseball Tonight. Dan Shulman will anchor Sunday’s broadcast. He will be joined by analyst John Kruk and reporter Buster Olney. Jon Sciambi will anchor ESPN Radio’s simulcast of Sunday night’s broadcast. He will be joined by analyst Chris Singleton for the game. Sunday’s matchup between the Pirates and Cardinals will also be available on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio.

Jon Hamm, start of Disney’s new movie Million Dollar Arm is scheduled to appear on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight live at 7pm ET as part of the network’s lead up to Sunday night’s game. Along with being an actor, Hamm is also an avid baseball fan. He will join Baseball Tonight host Karl Ravech and MLB Hall of Famer Barry Larkin for Sunday evening’s broadcast live from PNC Park. Baseball Tonight will broadcast live on Federal Street near the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

The Cardinals will head back to St. Louis after Sunday night’s game and prepare to host Anthony Rizzo and the Cubs on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball Presented by USAA live at 8pm ET. Dave O’Brien will anchor Monday’s broadcast. He will be joined by analyst Aaron Boone and reporter Tim Kurkjian. Monday’s game will be preceded by ESPN’s weekly Monday night pre-game show Baseball Tonight. Karl Ravech will anchor the broadcast, which begins at 7:30pm ET. He will be joined by John Kruk and Ozzie Guillen. Monday night’s game (and Sunday’s) will also be available on ESPN Deportes, online and via all mobile internet platforms.

More information on ESPN’s 25^th Anniversary season of MLB coverage is available online now at http://www.facebok.com/ESPNBaseballTonight and http://espn.go.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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Tag Archives: Pittsburgh Pirates

ESPN Networks To Offer Extensive Little League Classic Coverage Sunday

Cubs And Mets Meet In Series’ Rubber Match Tonight On ESPN

Cubs, Mets Open 3-Game Series Tonight On ESPN

ESPN Headed To Chicago For Sunday’s Edition Of SNB

ESPN Spotlighting National League In Its June MLB SNB Broadcast Schedule

Cubs, Pirates Face Off In Key NL Central Matchup Tonight On MNB

ESPN Announces SNB Season Finale, First Post Season Game

ESPN Networks To Carry Full Coverage Of This Weekend’s Dodgers-Pirates Series

ESPN Sets Its Sights On NL Playoff Race Sunday And Monday On SNB, MNB

Pirates Host Cards This Weekend On ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball