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It's 'curtains up' for new MLB season
ESPN's Opening Night coverage a ceremonial affair
Welcome to the first edition of "Headliners," where we preview an upcoming game broadcast -- both the in-game action and the storylines the coverage teams will be following.
This week's game:
Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies
MLB Opening Night
Sun. 4/5 at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2
This ceremonial season opener is more about the occasion than the teams involved, though the match-up between the defending World Champion Phillies and the perennially-contending Braves is nothing to scoff at.
The Braves biggest off-season acquisition, ace Derek Lowe, will take the hill for Atlanta, which will undoubtedly lead ESPN's legendary pairing of John Miller and Joe Morgan to discuss the Braves re-tooled bullpen: Beyond Lowe, Atlanta added Javier Vazquez via trade and lured Kenshin Kawakami from the Japanese leagues. In addition, the signing of Garrett Anderson and the loss of John Smoltz will make the Braves off-season moves a surefire topic of discussion.
The World Champion Phillies weren't nearly as active this off-season, however injuries are looking to be the storyline with Philadelphia. All-Star 2B Chase Utley is returning from a hip injury which hindered him throughout '08. On the flip side, ace Cole Hamels won't be available to start Opening Night due to tightness in his elbow. Expect reports on his status.
Above and beyond the game, the Opening Night coverage will be preparing fans for an entire season, so expect a health dose of A-Rod/PED talk (pun intended), as well as previews from around the league and maybe a recap of the recently-completed World Baseball Classic.
And it wouldn't be an ESPN broadcast with loads of self-promotion. Look for the "Worldwide Leader" to tout their season-long coverage, consisting of regular live broadcasts (especially their five-game Opening Day marathon) and their staple nightly recap show, "Baseball Tonight." And don't be surprised if you're invited to play Fantasy Baseball on ESPN.com, with pleads of "It's not too late to join!"
This week's game:
Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies
MLB Opening Night
Sun. 4/5 at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2
This ceremonial season opener is more about the occasion than the teams involved, though the match-up between the defending World Champion Phillies and the perennially-contending Braves is nothing to scoff at.
The Braves biggest off-season acquisition, ace Derek Lowe, will take the hill for Atlanta, which will undoubtedly lead ESPN's legendary pairing of John Miller and Joe Morgan to discuss the Braves re-tooled bullpen: Beyond Lowe, Atlanta added Javier Vazquez via trade and lured Kenshin Kawakami from the Japanese leagues. In addition, the signing of Garrett Anderson and the loss of John Smoltz will make the Braves off-season moves a surefire topic of discussion.
The World Champion Phillies weren't nearly as active this off-season, however injuries are looking to be the storyline with Philadelphia. All-Star 2B Chase Utley is returning from a hip injury which hindered him throughout '08. On the flip side, ace Cole Hamels won't be available to start Opening Night due to tightness in his elbow. Expect reports on his status.
Above and beyond the game, the Opening Night coverage will be preparing fans for an entire season, so expect a health dose of A-Rod/PED talk (pun intended), as well as previews from around the league and maybe a recap of the recently-completed World Baseball Classic.
And it wouldn't be an ESPN broadcast with loads of self-promotion. Look for the "Worldwide Leader" to tout their season-long coverage, consisting of regular live broadcasts (especially their five-game Opening Day marathon) and their staple nightly recap show, "Baseball Tonight." And don't be surprised if you're invited to play Fantasy Baseball on ESPN.com, with pleads of "It's not too late to join!"
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