TBS To Carry Second Game In Astros, Angels Weekend Series Saturday

Courtesy: Turner Sports

The Los Angeles Angels will host the Houston Astros live this weekend on TBS.

The game is the second in a three-game weekend series between the American League West opponents.  Coverage of Saturday’s game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET.

Joe Simpson will anchor the broadcast.  Ron Darling will join him in the booth for additional commentary.  A blackout will take place locally in Los Angeles.

Houston (21-15) is second in the American League West, two games back from the division leading Oakland Athletics.  Los Angeles (13-25) is last in the division and 14th in the American League overall, ahead of only the Boston Red Sox.

Houston comes into this weekend’s series against Los Angeles on the heels of a three-game series this week against the Texas Rangers.  The Astros took two of three games in that series.

The Angels come into the weekend series after splitting a two-game series with the San Diego Padres Wednesday and Thursday.  The Padres won that series’ first game 11-4 while the Angels took the second game, 2-0.

The starting pitcher for each team is under consideration.

In other news, TBS will feature a National League showdown next weekend between the Cubs and Brewers.  Coverage for that game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET.  The Yankees and Red Sox will face off live on TBS on Sept. 20, with coverage for that game scheduled to start at 1 p.m .ET.

 

More information on TBS’ Major League Baseball coverage is available online now at:

 

Website: http://tbs.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tbsnetwork

 

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 Air Special MLB Double Header On Independence Day

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will celebrate America’s birthday this year with a celebration of the country’s national pastime.

Network officials announced recently the network will carry a special Major League Baseball double header on July 4^th.  The schedule starts with a National League inter-divisional matchup between the Phillies and Pirates at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.  American League opponents Boston and Texas round out the day’s double header schedule beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Rotations and pitchers have not been announced for either game.  The July 4 matchup between the Phillies and Pirates will be the second of a four-game series between the NL foes while it the AL showdown between the Red Sox and Rangers will be the second in a three-game series between those teams.

More information on ESPN’s special Independence Day double header schedule 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.

Tigers, Rangers To Play Live On ESPN’s ‘SNB’ Broadcast On May 21

Courtesy: ESPN

The countdown to the start of Major League Baseball’s 2017 season is on, and in anticipation of the season’s start, ESPN has announced one of the games to be featured on its weekly Sunday Night Basebal presented by Taco Belll broadcast schedule.

The Tigers and Rangers will face off on May 21 in an American League interdivisional matchup live on ESPN’s flagship MLB program.  Coverage is set to begin at 8 p.m. EST.  Dan Shulman will have the call for the game.

Shulman will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Aaron Boone.  Reporter Buster Olney will also be on hand for the latest in-game interviews and news.

The Rangers’ May 21 road game against the Tigers will mark Texas’ first appearance on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell for the season.  Detroit will make another live appearance on Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell on July 9 against the 2016 American League Champion Cleveland Indians.

Those that won’t be near a television during either broadcast can still catch the games on the radio on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio and online via WatchESPN and the ESPN app.  Spanish-speaking audiences and fans in other nations can catch games on television via ESPN Deportes and ESPN International.

More information on ESPN’s 2017 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.

TBS To Carry Exclusive Coverage Of MLB’s 2016 American League Postseason Games

 

Courtesy: Turner Sports

Turner Sports announced Monday that TBS will be the exclusive TV home for the 2016 American League postseason.

The network will carry exclusive coverage of the American League’s postseason games beginning with Tuesday’s American League Wild Card Game. Coverage of the American League Wild Card Coverage on TBS presented by Hankook Tire begins at 8:00pm ET on TBS as the Blue Jays take on the Orioles for a spot in the AL postseason.

Sports Emmy Award-winning commentator Ernie Johnson will have the call for Tuesday night’s game.  He will be joined by veteran MLB on TBS analysts Ron Darling and Cal Ripken, Jr. for additional commentary. Sam Ryan will also be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

MLB Postseason Pre-Game Show on TBS presented by the All-New Chrysler Pacifica will precede game coverage at 7:30pm ET.Casey Stern will anchor the broadcast and will be joined at the desk by MLB Hal of Famer Pedro Martinez, 9-time MLB All-Star Gary Scheffield, and 2007 National League MVP Jimmy Rollins for additional commentary.

TBS’ exclusive American League Division Series coverage on TBS presented by T-Mobile begins Thursday afternoon at 4pm ET with MLB Postseason Pre-Game presented by the All-New Chrysler Pacifica.  Following the broadcast, the Rangers will host the winner of Tuesday’s American League Wild Card matchup with coverage beginning at 4pm ET.  The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians follow at 8pm ET.

Ernie Johnson will have the call for the Red Sox/Cleveland series.  He will be joined by Cal Ripken, Jr. and Ron Darling for additional commentary along with reporter Sam Ryan.

Brian Anderson will anchor the best-of-five series between the Rangers and winner of Tuesday’s Blue Jays/Orioles series.  He will be joined by analyst and MLB great Dennis Eckersley and fellow analyst Joe Simpson, and reporter Matt Winer for additional commentary and news.

TBS will begin coverage of the American League Championship Series on Friday, October 14^th.

MLB fans will that won’t be near a television during the American League’s postseason can still catch every game streaming online at http://www.tbs.com and via the Watch TBS app.  Additionally, all American League postseason games will be simulcast in Spanish via SAP.  CNN en Espanol will also carry coverage of upcoming AL postseason games.

TBS’ current American League postseason coverage schedule is noted below.

 

TBS’ MLB Postseason schedule through the American League Division Series:

Date                       Time (ET)    Game/Commentator Teams                  

Tue, Oct. 4           7:30 p.m.       MLB Postseason Pre-Game on TBS presented by the                                                     All-New Chrysler Pacifica

                                                        Casey Stern (host), Pedro Martinez, Gary Sheffield &                                                          Jimmy Rollins (analysts)

                                8 p.m.             A.L. Wild Card Game: Baltimore Orioles at Toronto                                                           Blue Jays

                                                        Ernie Johnson (play-by-play), Ron Darling & Cal                                                                   Ripken (analysts) with Sam Ryan (reporter)

                                Postgame      The Postseason Show on TBS presented by the                                                               Lincoln Motor Company

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins                   

Thu, Oct. 6          4 p.m.             MLB Postseason Pre-Game on TBS presented by the                                                     All-New Chrysler Pacifica

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins

                                4:30 p.m.       ALDS: A.L. Wild Card Winner at Texas Rangers                                                                (Game 1)

                                                        Brian Anderson, Dennis Eckersley & Joe Simpson with                                                         Matt Winer

                                8 p.m.             ALDS: Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians (Game                                                         1)

                                                        Johnson, Darling & Ripken with Ryan

                                Postgame      The Postseason Show on TBS presented by the                                                              Lincoln Motor Company

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins                   

Fri, Oct. 7            12:30 p.m.     MLB Postseason Pre-Game on TBS presented by the                                                       All-New Chrysler Pacifica

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins

                                1 p.m.             ALDS: A.L. Wild Card Winner at Texas Rangers                                                                (Game 2)

                                                        Anderson, Eckersley & Simpson with Winer

                                4:30 p.m.       ALDS: Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians (Game                                                        2)

                                                        Johnson, Darling & Ripken with Ryan

                                Postgame      The Postseason Show on TBS presented by the                                                               Lincoln Motor Company

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins                   

Sun, Oct. 9           3:30 p.m.       MLB Postseason Pre-Game on TBS presented by the                                                     All-New Chrysler Pacifica

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins

                                4 p.m.             ALDS: Cleveland Indians at Boston Red Sox (Game 3)

                                                        Johnson, Darling & Ripken with Ryan

                                7:30 p.m.       ALDS: Texas Rangers at A.L. Wild Card Winner                                                                (Game 3)

                                                        Anderson, Eckersley & Simpson with Winer

                                Postgame      The Postseason Show on TBS presented by the                                                              Lincoln Motor Company

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins                   

Mon, Oct. 10       TBA               MLB Postseason Pre-Game on TBS presented by the                                                     All-New Chrysler Pacifica

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins

                                TBA               ALDS: Texas Rangers at A.L. Wild Card Winner                                                               (Game 4, if necessary)

                                                        Anderson, Eckersley & Simpson with Winer

                                TBA               ALDS: Cleveland Indians at Boston Red Sox (Game                                                        4, if necessary)

                                                        Johnson, Darling & Ripken with Ryan

                                Postgame      The Postseason Show on TBS presented by the                                                               Lincoln Motor Company

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins                   

Wed, Oct. 12       TBA               MLB Postseason Pre-Game on TBS presented by the                                                      All-New Chrysler Pacifica

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins

                                TBA               ALDS: A.L. Wild Card Winner at Texas Rangers                                                               (Game 5, if necessary)

                                                        Anderson, Eckersley & Simpson with Winer

                                TBA               ALDS: Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians (Game                                                        5, if necessary)

                                                        Johnson, Darling & Ripken with Ryan

                                Postgame      The Postseason Show on TBS presented by the                                                               Lincoln Motor Company

                                                        Stern, Martinez, Sheffield & Rollins                   

 

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

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 Films Debuts Latest Addition To ’30 for 30 Shorts’ Series

Courtesy: ESPN

New York Yankees star Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez recently announced to the world that he was dropping his lawsuit against Major League Baseball linked his suspension from Major League Baseball.  Now, he is the focus of the latest installment in ESPN’s 30 for 30 Shorts series.

Rodriguez is the focal point of the new 30 for 30 short The Deal.  The latest short from ESPN Films’ series of shorts examines “A-Rod’s” trade from the Texas Rangers and how he almost ended up in red and grey instead of pinstripes.  The new short debuted this week at Grantland.com.  It can be viewed now via Grantland.com at http://grantland.com/features/30-for-30-shorts-the-deal/.  It was produced and directed by Nick and Colin Barnicle.  The pair incorporated interviews with the likes of Larry Lucchino, Brian Cashman, John Hart and Theo Epstein to illustrate the story.  It shows how much changed over the course of less than two days for not just Rodriguez, but also for both the Red Sox and Yankees.

Along with its online showing, The Deal will also be broadcast this Sunday night, Feb. 16^th at 8pm on ESPN.  The broadcast comes on the tenth anniversary of the still discussed trade deal.  Other films in the 30 for 30 shorts are available for viewing online now at http://grantland.com/contributors/espn-films/.

More information on ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 Shorts and 30 for 30 is available online at http://www.facebook.com/espn30for30 and http://www.espn.com/30for30.  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.