Here’s what you can expect to see this weekend for MLB on Fox, ESPN and TBS. When the release comes for TBS, I’ll post it, but for now, what you see is what you get.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
MLB on FOX Kicks Off Season’s Second HalfRosenthal on Phillies Signing Pedro: “What Is There To Lose?”
FOX Sports Revamps Social Networking Sites
MLB’S SECOND HALF STARTS UP – Fresh off an intense MLB All-Star Game, The FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK presents its first weekend of the second half with three enticing matchups on Saturday, July 18 (4:00 PM ET). In Atlanta, NL rivals meet as Jeff Francoeur and the Mets take on the man he was traded for, Ryan Church, and the Braves. Also, AL West rivals face off in Oakland as the A’s host the first-place Angels. On the South Side, President Obama’s favorite team, the White Sox, host Adam Jones and the Orioles. This week, the pregame show originates live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland with host Chris Rose. Once game action begins, Rose joins the game crew of Glenn Kuiper and Jose Mota as a field reporter. For instant updates during the week and games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.
New York Mets at Atlanta Braves, Thom Brennaman, Eric Karros & Ken Rosenthal, going to 49% of USATurner Field – Atlanta, GA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, St. Louis, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics, Glenn Kuiper & Jose Mota, going to 28% of USA
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum – Oakland, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Oklahoma City, Phoeni
x, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, TulsaBaltimore Orioles at Chicago White Sox, Dick Stockton & Mark Grace, going to 22% of USA
Comiskey Park – Chicago, IL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Washington
80th ALL-STAR GAME IS A WINNER FOR MLB & FOX SPORTS – The 80th MLB ALL-STAR GAME, an exciting 4-3 American League victory, was watched by an impressive total of 33.6 million viewers, supplanting last year’s Yankee Stadium extravaganza as the most-watched Midsummer Classic since 1999 (36.9 million), according to fast national figures released Wednesday by Nielsen Media Research. It is the fourth consecutive year the All-Star Game’s total audience has risen year to year, and the sixth time it’s risen in the seven years since the rule tying home field advantage in the World Series to the winning league was adopted. Total viewing of last night’s game was +13% higher than the same figure in 2002, the last year before the adoption of the World Series home field rule (33.6 million vs. 29.7 in 2002).
“Anyone who can figure a batting average knows that going six for seven is pretty good, and we’ve seen the All-Star Game’s audience rise six times in the seven years since the outcome determines home field advantage in the World Series,” said FOX Sports President Ed Goren.
ROSENTHAL PLEASED WITH PEDRO SIGNING – This week, former Mets pitcher and 3-time Cy-Young winner Pedro Martinez signed a 1-year contract to pitch for the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies. MLB on FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal is happy that Pedro is back and doesn’t see much downside for the defending champs. “What is there to lose? Its $1 million guaranteed. If Pedro wins three games, he basically pays for himself. The Phillies were very impressed by what they saw – Pedro threw 88-89 mph with command,” said Rosenthal. “Personally, I am just happy he is back in the game. He’s one of baseball’s most intelligent and colorful guys.”
Click here to read Rosenthal’s notes that didn’t make it into Tuesday night’s All-Star Game telecast:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9809204/Experience-doesn’t-help-NL-All-Star-staff
And this is what’s on tap for ESPN Sunday, Monday and next Wednesday.
Sunday Night Baseball (July 19)
New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves at 6 p.m. ET
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com)
Commentators: Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Steve PhillipsMonday Night Baseball (July 20)
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies* at 7 p.m.
* full national telecast; available in both local markets
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN360.com)
Commentators: Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser, Steve PhillipsWednesday Night Baseball(July 22)
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers at 8 p.m.
(ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com)
Commentators: Dave O’Brien, Rick Sutcliffe
When TBS’ release comes on Friday, I’ll add it here.
UPDATE, 2:20 p.m.: Here is TBS’ game: Detroit at the Yankees.
“Sunday MLB on TBS” Continues with Tigers @ Yankees at 2 p.m. ET“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on Sunday, July 19th at 2 p.m. ET with an American League match-up featuring Curtis Granderson and the Detroit Tigers visiting Mark Teixeira and the New York Yankees. The Tigers’ probable starting pitcher Justin Verlander is scheduled to take th
e mound against Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees. Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst) will call the action from the broadcast booth.Sunday MLB on TBS includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season. In October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
TBS has broadcast MLB coverage for more than 30 years serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007.
SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:
Sun., July 19
2 p.m. Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst)
SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Sun., July 26
1:30 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies
Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)
That’s it. Enjoy your baseball weekend.
