ESPN Sunday Night Baseball for 2019

[Eye Black]

There is a planned announcement later today at the Winter Meetings that Sunday Night Baseball is going to get moved to 6:00pm CT. I think that is certainly an improvement from a viewership standpoint. Here is the full article link: ESPN to Start Sunday Night Baseball Games Earlier in 2019

 

As far as ESPN Sunday night games I have seen announced thus far, here is the list...

 

Braves at Phillies (March 31)

Dodgers at Rockies (April 7)

Red Sox at Yankees (June 2)

Dodgers at Red Sox (July 14)

Yankees at Red Sox (July 28)

Red Sox at Yankees (August 4)

Cubs vs. Pirates - Williamsport, PA (August 18)

 

I am curious to see if the Brewers are selected for a Sunday Night Baseball date. History says it’s unlikely, but coming off an 96 win season and an NLCS appearance it seems at least possible.

[Boomer5]

If they have the same announcers this won’t be anything I’ll be watching.

[brewmann04]

I can guess no brewer games unless we play the cubs or LA

[Eye Black]

They announced some additional games today (beyond what was posted previously)...

 

 

[bill hAll Star]

I am one that totally understands why it is Yankees/Red Sox or Dodgers/Cubs x10 basically. Those games, like it or not, get the ratings. The more hardcore fans will tune into MLBNetwork for a Thursday night Brewers/Phillies tilt.

 

That said, I still laugh my ass off at it. And honestly, there still could be something to be said about the parity and eventual growth of people tuning into the smaller market teams if they showed them more.

[IIAY]

If they are going to have one this year, it will almost certainly be either against the Dodgers or the Cubs. Looking at the schedule, we play the Dodgers twice and the Cubs a whopping 6 times on Sundays. Of those 8 games, 4 of the dates have already been assigned ESPN Sunday Night games to other teams. The four that would be possible:

 

April 14 @ LA Dodgers

April 21 vs. LA Dodgers

May 12 @ Chicago Cubs

Sep 1 @ Chicago Cubs

 

Of those 4 games, 3 are currently listed as TBD start times (the home game on 4/21 has a 1:10 start time listed). Therefore, if we get a Sunday night game this year, it will probably either be April 14, May 12, or September 1.

 

If I were to bet, I would say it would be the Labor Day weekend game vs. the Cubs. It makes sense logistically (the following day, the Cubs have a home game and we host the Astros) and the odds are pretty good that both teams will be in the thick of the playoff hunt as the calendar turns to September.

[JimH5]

Houston isn't on the list, Cleveland isn't on the list. They're going with games that deliver a known audience. There's no reason in December to lock in games featuring teams that might not be interesting to a national audience.

[3and2Fastball]

The one complaint I have is that I wish they'd have the Angels on more often. The MLB product grows more when showcasing generational talents like Trout.

[MrTPlush]

Good, I would rather watch and listen to the FSWI broadcast.

[jerichoholicninja]

Is Sunday Night Baseball or ESPN a big deal anymore? And is starting games an hour earlier worth any sort of announcement? Seems more like a press release or blurb in a story about something else.

[502 to Right]

I hope the Brewers play zero Sunday night games.

 

 

Edit - in the regular season.

[Eye Black]

The Brewers will make an appearance on Sunday Night Baseball afterall (Link) at Wrigley Field on May 12.