Given the performance of several of the broadcasters and announcing crews in this year’s MLB Postseason, we’ve decided to expand our annual series ranking the local MLB broadcasters into the 2018 MLB Postseason. With the World Series starting this week, we’re asking you to grade all of MLB’s Postseason broadcast teams, with the final rankings being released sometime next week (likely after the conclusion of the Fall Classic).
Now, some caveats.
-Grade each broadcast crew from A to F, with a score of 4 being given to an A grade all the way down to 0 for an F. Each broadcast crew’s final score will be an average of all of their grades, as we’ve always done it.
-I’m not including the Brian Anderson/Ron Darling/Dennis Eckersley trio that called the AL Wild Card game since Anderson and Darling called the ALDS and ALCS together. I figure that the grades for the two teams will be incredibly similar.
-I *am* including ESPN2’s Statcast broadcast of the NL Wild Card game in addition to ESPN’s main broadcast of the game.
-John Smoltz is being included *three* times with three different partners. Likewise, Bob Costas is included twice with two different partners.
-Remember, you’re grading the teams based on their quality this Postseason. If you normally love an announcer’s local work but haven’t liked their national work, or vice versa, have your grade reflect that.
Polling will close at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on Friday, October 26th. This will give everyone enough time to watch the first two games of the World Series, and go from there if you want to adjust your score for Fox’s World Series crew.
Happy voting, and if you’re going to comment, please don’t be hateful. Moderating comments gives me heartburn.
ESPN
Jason Benetti, Eduardo Perez, Mike Petriello (NL Wild Card – Statcast feed)
Matt Vasgersian, Jessica Mendoza, Alex Rodriguez (NL Wild Card)
Fox Sports
Kenny Albert, David Cone, AJ Pierzynski (NL Division Series – Brewers vs Rockies, Games 1 & 2)
Joe Buck, John Smoltz (NL Championship Series, World Series)
Joe Davis, John Smoltz (NL Division Series – Dodgers vs Braves, Games 2-4)
MLB Network
Bob Costas, Jim Kaat (NL Division Series – Brewers vs Rockies, Game 3)
Bob Costas, John Smoltz (NL Division Series – Dodgers vs Braves, Game 1)
Turner Sports
Brian Anderson, Ron Darling (AL Division Series – Red Sox vs Yankees, AL Championship Series)
Don Orsillo, Dennis Eckersley (AL Division Series – Astros vs Indians)
