CHICAGO – Tuesday, Oct. 2 proved to be another significant day of live event coverage for ESPN.
The scale and scope of ESPN was firmly on display while documenting the 2018 Major League Baseball National League Wild Card Game presented by Hankook Tire. Among the coverage offerings was ESPN2’s first alternative viewing experience – a Statcast-focused presentation – for a Wild Card game.
The broadcast team – play-by-play voice Jason Benetti, analyst Eduardo Perez, and MLB.com Statcast writer Mike Petriello – impressed stat-focused MLB fans with their depth of knowledge and ability to utilize the wealth of statistical data available on the telecast to tell the story of the Colorado Rockies’ victory over the Chicago Cubs.
Behind the scenes 4 hours before first pitch @Rockies v @Cubs #NLWildcard on #ESPN2 @MLB @ESPN. I’ll be on the call with @jasonbenetti @mike_petriello @Statcast, broadcasting the game for viewers that are interested in seeing the game from an analytical point of view. #Analytics. pic.twitter.com/BWC3TCR3SI
— Eduardo Perez (@PerezEd) October 2, 2018
The success of the telecast, and the overall night of coverage, impressed many fans on social media:
TREMENDOUSLY enjoyed the Statcast broadcast. Just absolutely loved it. Forgot it was a "special" thing; just seemed natural. Very natural flow of information, not forced into the game at all. Very professional. Loved it.
— Bill James Online (@billjamesonline) October 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/MSilb7/status/1047342974428897280
Really digging this ESPN #Statcast Broadcast with @jasonbellini, @PerezEd, and @mike_petriello. I'd defiantly like to see more of it, it fits well into the dramatic background of #MLBPostseason. #NLWildCard live
— Joe Hughes (@VegasJoeHughes) October 3, 2018
If you enjoy stats and analytics in baseball, switch to ESPN 2 and watch @mike_petriello and the @Statcast crew do their version of the broadcast. #NLWildCard pic.twitter.com/CVhKr6OXOx
— Gary M (@nuggetpalooza) October 3, 2018
The ESPN2 Statcast coverage of this @cubs v. @Rockies wildcard game is amazing. Great job @espn #mlb #NLWildCard
— Greg Taylor (@GRTaylor2) October 3, 2018
The nerds are breaking Twitter tonight #Statcast @espn #NLWildCard
— Michael Waldo (@MichaelWaldo) October 3, 2018
THANK YOU @espn for offering this @statcast edition of the #NLWildCard game! It’s a baseball nerds dream!! #moneyball #sabermetrics
— Charlie Magruder (@cmagruder) October 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/maxtima/status/1047281927848431616
This statcast on ESPN 2 it’s pretty neat feature for the game! #NLwildcard
— Rocky???? (@Zepedar03) October 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/mark_bousquet/status/1047316611164790785
The @espn 2 #Statcast coverage of the #NLWildCard game is so compelling. What a nice job by The Mother Ship.
— ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? (@mikejos) October 3, 2018
The ESPN statcast broadcast is really fun, glad they are doing this. #Cubs #NLWildCard
— Derek Barichello (@tt_derekb) October 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrJamesJohnston/status/1047298389308633089
https://twitter.com/anthonyazepeda/status/1047294686774415361
Let’s check in on the ESPN 2 #NLWildCard Statcast booth… pic.twitter.com/4jNVdI0wrF
— MKE Jim ???????????????? (@Doc_68W_) October 3, 2018