Latest news with #MLBLittleLeagueClassic
Hindustan Times
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
MLB rights deals update: Apple out; Peacock, ESPN and Netflix still in play
Major League Baseball's national media landscape is reportedly on the verge of a major shake-up, with a new round of broadcast deals nearing completion. According to Yahoo Sports' Kendall Baker, the MLB deal is 'close to being done', with Apple out and ESPN, Peacock, and Netflix sticking on. A general view during the MLB Little League Classic between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Mets at Bowman Field (Getty Images via AFP) As per Baker, the MLB is finalizing agreements that would likely run through 2028, aligning with the league's existing contracts with Fox and TNT Sports. The reported plan marks a dramatic reshuffling of partners and platforms. 'Nothing is finalized (which of course means things could still change) but sounds close,' Baker reported on X, platform formerly known as Twitter. Apple, which previously carried Friday Night Baseball, is reportedly stepping away entirely. In its place, NBC and Peacock are poised to acquire Friday night games, as well as ESPN's vacated Sunday Night Baseball package and Wild Card matchups. That move would give NBC an unprecedented year-round Sunday prime-time sports lineup—adding baseball to its existing football and basketball coverage. However, like Baker mentioned, nothing is finalized. While exiting its traditional rights package, ESPN is reportedly not cutting ties with the sport altogether. As per Baker, the network plans to acquire the league's out-of-market streaming service, as part of its broader push into streaming. The purchase could serve as the backbone of ESPN's soon-to-launch direct-to-consumer service, while also keeping the door open for potential involvement in local rights. Meanwhile, Netflix is reportedly finalizing its entry into MLB by securing rights to the Home Run Derby, another property ESPN previously held. The addition would expand Netflix's growing live-sports portfolio with one of baseball's most-watched annual events. If these deals materialize, the new structure would significantly alter baseball's media reach: Apple bows out, NBC deepens its live-sports dominance, ESPN secures a digital foothold, and Netflix adds a marquee event.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Seattle Mariners vs. New York Mets odds, picks and predictions
The Seattle Mariners (68-56) face the New York Mets (65-58) in the finale of a 3-game set in the MLB Little League Classic on Sunday Night Baseball. First pitch from Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., is set for 7:10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Mariners vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets. Season series: Tied 1-1 The Mariners lost 3-1 Saturday at Citi Field. C Cal Raleigh had 2 of the 4 hits as the M's couldn't solve rookie Nolan McLean in his MLB debut. The Big Dumper is 5-for-8 with a homer and 2 RBIs in this series. Seattle is still 7-3 over its last 10 and pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Houston Astros in the AL West. The Mets snapped a 3-game skid with Saturday's win. OF Juan Soto extended his hitting streak to 9 games with a hit and an RBI. Meanwhile, the Mets are just 2-8 over their last 10 games and cling to a 1 1/2-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final Wild Card. Mariners vs. Mets projected starters RHP George Kirby vs. RHP Clay Holmes Kirby (8-5, 3.71 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 over 85 innings. Holmes (9-6, 3.71 ERA) makes his 25th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 126 innings. Win your fantasy baseball league with For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! BHQ offers full-season subscriptions. Sign up today and start winning! Mariners vs. Mets odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:38 a.m. ET. Mariners vs. Mets picks and predictions Mets 6, Mariners 5 Moneyline I'm not buying the Mariners as favorites here. Kirby has been great, but this is the third city the team has been in since Thursday, and Monday will be the fourth. They're just 2-3 on the trip. For the price, give me the METS (+105). Run line/Against the spread I like JUAN SOTO OVER 1.5 H+R+RBIs (-120) in this one. I'd even consider his home run line at (+360) as it's just 331 feet down the right field line. I could see him and Raleigh touch seats. Over/Under As mentioned, it's just 331 feet down the right field line, and it's 323 feet down the left field line. We're going to have some offense in this game. Give me the OVER 8.5 (-110). Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow @rdodsonsports on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Rob Manfred's radical MLB realignment idea already being met with harsh reactions
Rob Manfred sent the collective heads of baseball traditionalists everywhere spinning Sunday night when he openly discussed the idea of realignment during the ESPN broadcast of the MLB Little League Classic. The idea unquestionably would create one of the biggest shake-ups in baseball and likely end the long-standing American League and National League format that MLB has operated under for more than 100 years. Advertisement 'I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign,' Manfred told ESPN. 'I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel. And I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN because you'd be playing up out of the East and out of the West.' The reactions came swiftly after Manfred made his comments during the broadcast, with baseball traditionalists decrying the idea of realigning the divisions. Mets broadcaster Howie Rose described the threat of realignment as the American League and National League ceasing to 'exist as we know them' and describing it as the 'last move before total destruction of the traditions that made baseball great.' Advertisement Former big leaguer Cameron Maybin argued that realignment would tilt the playoff balance in a post on social media. 'Some divisions get watered down, others overloaded and rivalries that drive October storylines we love, vanish. Baseball needs competitive integrity, not manufactured shakeups,' he wrote. 3 Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is interviewed during the 2027 Chicago All-Star Game Announcement. Getty Images Expansion would be the first domino that would need to fall in order for the MLB commissioner to see realignment come to fruition, but the idea has created, at the very least, some buzz, along with plenty of anger, over what could happen with a potential realignment. Advertisement The biggest question that would first need to be answered is where Major League Baseball is expanding. Nashville, Tenn., has been one of the favorites to land an expansion team when the time comes, but other markets have expressed interest, including Portland, Ore., Salt Lake City, Orlando, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C., which in itself would make the realignment process a challenging one. Manfred didn't mention any parameters about what a realigned MLB would look like, but it wouldn't be far-fetched to see it turn into an Eastern and Western Conference format similar to the one in the NBA or NHL, with 16 teams in each conference. 3 Rob Manfred's realignment plan eliminate the two-league system for geographic conferences. Advertisement In one scenario in which MLB expands to Nashville and Portland, a potential Eastern Conference could include the Mets, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees, Pirates, Guardians, Orioles, Nationals, Marlins, Braves, Rays, Nashville, Tigers, Blue Jays, Brewers and Twins. The Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, Reds, Rockies, Rangers, Astros, Royals, Mariners, Portland, Athletics, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Angels, Padres and Giants could make up the Western Conference. The easiest division to put in place would be in the Northeast, where the Mets, Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox are a natural fit together, and in this scenario, it's possible to keep the Dodgers, Giants, Angels and Padres together. Grouping the two Florida teams along with the Braves and an expansion Nashville team allows for a potential rivalry to come together between Atlanta and MLB's newest team — this would work, as well, if Charlotte were to join the league instead of Nashville. 3 American League teams would be grouped together much differently. MLB Photos via Getty Images Creating a division that includes the Mariners with the Athletics, who should be in Las Vegas well before any expansion takes place, the Diamondbacks and a Portland expansion team would potentially accomplish Manfred's goal of cutting down on travel time. As other leagues have learned, however, there is no exact science to mapping out the best geographically based divisions — the NHL's Capitals had to play in a division with Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay at one point — and there's bound to be a disgruntled franchise or fan base or two. Manfred has overseen some of the most drastic changes in baseball during his tenure as commissioner, but realignment would be the biggest undertaking of his reign, which is expected to end with a planned resignation in 2029.
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
One Little Leaguer had no interest in meeting ‘overrated' Juan Soto
Access the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Try it free Juan Soto's All-Star exploits haven't endeared him to everyone. On Sunday morning, hours before Soto's Mets would face off against the Mariners in the MLB Little League Classic, the Vancouver and Brisbane squads faced off, with Canadian broadcaster TSN inquiring which MLB stars the youngsters were excited to meet later in the day. Team Canada's Misha Lee did not hold back after his Australian counterpart answered with Soto. 'Eh, he's kinda overrated,' Lee said. 'He's alright.' Lee, a pitcher/first baseman for the Canuck side, revealed he was much more interested in getting a glimpse of the Big Dumper himself, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. Canada certainly channeled their favorite sluggers, racking up 13 hits over six innings and posting five runs in the fifth frame en route to a 12-0 win over the Aussies. Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after being walked against the Seattle Mariners in the third inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images When Little League play came to a close on the day, everyone packed into Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., and they certainly got a show from the MLB teams. Mark Vientos' three-run homer keyed the Mets to a 7-3 win that included a two-run long ball from Raleigh in the seventh inning. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS Many of the young fans in attendance, however, asked for — and received — a show from Soto, who entered the stadium to adoring fans and stopped to sigh autographs. In the bottom of the eighth, the Little Leaguers began to chant for the Dominican superstar's patented 'Soto Shuffle,' and he delivered in a delightful scene. While Soto's final line — 0-for-2 with three walks and a stolen bases — may not have been the power display the kids were hoping for, the Mets won their second straight game, a feat they hadn't accomplished in weeks.
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Cal Raleigh hits 47th homer, closing in on Salvador Perez's catcher record
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Cal Raleigh autographed a toilet seat for one fan, along with the scores of baseballs and other paraphernalia 'The Big Dumper' signed for shrieking Little Leaguers. Raleigh gave the kids a real treat hours later. The Seattle Mariners slugger socked his 47th homer of the season to boost his major league lead and put him within striking distance of the season homer record for catchers set by Kansas City's Salvador Perez. 'He continues to swing a really hot bat,' Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. 'I don't think I'll ever get tired of that.' Raleigh's two-run shot in the seventh inning sent hundreds of Little Leaguers from around the globe cheering in delight to see one of the brightest stars in the MLB Little League Classic go deep. It didn't help the Mariners much in defeat. The New York Mets beat the Mariners 7-3 and won the last two games of the three-game set. The Mariners are still in the thick of the AL wild-card race and hope to gain ground when they head to Philadelphia for the start of a three-game series. Raleigh could make catching history in Philly. Perez hit 48 homers for the Royals in 2021. 'I think it's been an incredible season for him,' Wilson said. 'But I think we knew what's in there. He's done a great job of bringing it out.' Raleigh put more than his prodigious power on display in the home of youth baseball's biggest weeks of the summer. Raleigh's chest protector featured a baseball card design of Mariners players and coaches from when they were kids. He breezed through the pregame clubhouse in a 'Little Dumper' T-shirt gifted by some of the Little Leaguers. 'You grow up wanting to come here as a kid. Get to do it as an adult now,' Raleigh told MLB Network before the game. 'It's really fun. Excited to meet the kids and hang out.' Raleigh's power always was evident. He hit 27 homers in 2022, 30 in 2023 and 34 last season. Now he's on pace to easily top 50 homers and maybe more. There are only five other players in big league history who have hit at least 40 homers while primarily playing catcher: Perez, Johnny Bench (twice), Roy Campanella, Todd Hundley and Mike Piazza (twice). Bench, Campanella and Piazza are Hall of Famers. 'He's a guy that we knew all along coming up in the minor leagues that he had a pretty high ceiling,' Wilson said. 'What he does behind the plate and what he does now at the plate has been unbelievable. He's carried the weight of both of those things and has done it very well.' A first-time All-Star at age 28, Raleigh burst through on the national scene when he won the All-Star Home Run Derby. He became the first switch-hitter and first catcher to win the title. He's the second Mariners player to take the title after three-time winner Ken Griffey Jr. Raleigh's homer also gave him 102 RBIs this season. He's the first catcher to record back-to-back 100 RBI seasons since Piazza and and the first American League catcher to reach that feat since Thurman Munson. Even more milestones await. Maybe even a playoff berth. 'He's just become a better hitter,' Wilson said.
