The 2016 MLB National League Wild Card Game telecast presented by Hankook Tire exclusively on ESPN, Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m. ET features two of the league’s top pitchers in a win-or-go-home scenario. The San Francisco Giants and Madison Bumgarner travel to Citi Field to take on the New York Mets and Noah Syndergaard.
ESPN’s extensive on-site coverage on Wednesday includes three consecutive hours of pre-game coverage including two, one-hour episodes of Baseball Tonight presented by Chevrolet at 5 p.m. (ESPN2) and 7 p.m. (ESPN). SportsCenter anchor Jay Crawford will provide updates from Citi Field during the 6 p.m. hour.
ESPN’s Wild Card Game analysts and Baseball Tonight team preview the pitching matchup and the impact it could have on the outcome of the game:
Aaron Boone, NL Wild Card Game Analyst:
“You’ve got to love a heavyweight matchup to kick off the NL Playoffs. I’ll give a slight edge to Bumgarner based on his amazing postseason resume and the slightly better platoon matchups.”
Dallas Braden, Baseball Tonight Analyst:
“Bumgarner can neutralize left-handed power threats in Granderson, Bruce and Cabrera and can give the Giants 120-plus pitches. While there is no question who has the best pure stuff, it’s simply a matter of who blinks first. The Giants don’t strikeout and with the post season comes a greater emphasis on each pitch and each at bat. Advantage: ‘MadBum’.”
Tim Kurkjian, Baseball Tonight Insider:
“No edge here, toss-up game between two great pitchers. But, Bumgarner’s post-season road ERA of 0.60 is the best of all time (min 25 IP). Next best is Bob Gibson’s 0.97. So, go with Bumgarner.”
Jessica Mendoza, NL Wild Card Game Analyst:
“Madison Bumgarner will always have the edge in any post-season game just because of his past. The confidence alone in just knowing what he is capable of this time of year is what makes him stand apart from any pitcher. Don’t forget Noah Syndergaard’s big game success from last year’s Game 3 of the World Series which will make this close, but until he is beaten off his throne, ‘MadBum’ has the edge.”
Buster Olney, NL Wild Card Game Reporter:
“A really big question is how effective Syndergaard will be in holding runners, and whether the Giants can take advantage of that problem. In his first start against San Francisco this year, he allowed three stolen bases and lost, and in the second meeting, both guys who tried to steal were thrown out — and Syndergaard won a shutout.”
Eduardo Perez, Baseball Tonight Analyst:
“Set the tone early. Look for both teams to play small-ball early. In my opinion the first three innings will decide the ballgame. Both pitchers get better as the game goes on. If both teams make Madison and Noah work they won’t be around for the last couple of innings. And we all know how the Giants bullpen has been.”
Karl Ravech, Baseball Tonight Host:
“What has the edge, day or night? Spring or summer? Thin crust or thick? Medium rare or medium well? Superman of Batman? Even in every way but experience. Slight edge to west coast over east.”
Visit ESPN MediaZone for full coverage details.
Media contacts: Ben Cafardo at 860-766-3496 or [email protected]. On twitter: @Ben_ESPN
Michael Skarka at 860-766-1342 or [email protected]. On twitter: @Michael_ESPN
