ESPN is adapting to a different set of MLB national media rights for 2026, with 30 exclusive — but mostly midweek — national games during the summer. That means juggling a different broadcast talent schedule, reports my SBJ colleague Mike Mazzeo.
A rotation of play-by-play announcers will include Karl Ravech, Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Mike Monaco, with Kevin Brown also contributing on select games.
“It was a little bit of a challenge,” said ESPN SVP/Sports Production Mark Gross. “We had ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ for 35 years. But once you get the schedule and start to size it up, [Ravech’s] got different responsibilities with [the College World Series] and [Little League World Series]; Boog works with the Cubs; Monaco has some tennis, and Kevin is with the Orioles. So we just pieced it together in what made sense for them and for us when they’re available.”
On the analyst side, Eduardo Perez, David Ross, Doug Glanville, Jessica Mendoza and Todd Frazier will be featured. Adam Ottavino will also join as a game and studio analyst, making his first appearance May 7 for Cardinals-Padres at 10pm ET.
Mets-Dodgers on April 15 for Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium will mark ESPN’s first exclusive game as part of the deal. Joe Buck will call that game with Ron Darling and Orel Hershiser, and “Baseball Tonight” will take place at the ballpark. “It’s a no-brainer,” Gross said.
“Our package is different, but we care more about it than we’ve ever cared about it,” Gross noted. “We’re just getting itchy to do a game, and we’re not that far away now.”
