That's because there are no RSN's for NFL teams... local NFL games are typically broadcasted on local TV. Because they don't have local TV contracts like the NFL does. Rockets playoff games are not on local TV. When Astros playoff games were on ESPN in 2004 and 2005, they weren't on local TV. My point is that it has always been like this... minus the LCS games that used to be on Fox, but now are cable exclusively as well. Not sure why the complaining ramped up now as if this was a new issue. OTA networks have pretty much drawn a line in the sand on what they're willing to broadcast live, in regards to the 3 major sports playoffs: 1. All NFL 2. NBA Finals 3. World Series
I'm not arguing about this. I simply don't understand why arrangements cannot be made and have not been made in the past. Whatever information you supply is not going to change my view that I cannot understand why a local Houston and Boston channel would not have jumped at the chance to show a playoff game rather than their usual afternoon fare.
If you're the MLB network, why in the hell would you allow a local network to cannibalize your ratings? I'm sure every channel in Houston would have loved to have the game, but simply weren't given the option.
It happens with NFL Network and ESPN so there is precedence in other leagues. I know it's not in their National TV contract. I would just like to learn of the negotiating process as to why stuff like that wasn't included.
It's not the local TV that's not jumping at it. It's the national broadcaster that has paid for the rights and has no interest in giving them up.
MLB has the rights to the playoff games and no one knows in advance who's going to be in the playoffs. Why would they take less money from FS1 so that either Houston could get extra money from some local channel, or so they'd have to negotiate with 30 different local channels on the offchance any of the teams make the playoffs? There seems no benefit to MLB to do this. Or in the case of MLB Network, we don't know what their ultimate goals are for that network - they may want the promotion and use it to extend their distribution. NFL doesn't have to do any extra work - they are already partners with the local networks for their national TV deal so it's already all included.
I'm wondering if a sweep helps get Verlander and Keuchel back for ALCS in game 1 and 2. Is that possible under any scenario?
What do you mean? If the Astros win game #3, then Verlander and Keuchel are the definite starters for ALCS games 1 and 2. Verlander will be on full rest on Tuesday, and the ALCS doesn't start until Friday. They'd have about 8 days off between starts in that scenario.
If the series does not go 5 games, Verlander would pitch Friday with 7 days rest and Keuchel on Saturday with 7 days rest. If the series goes 5 games (and they win), Keuchel goes Friday with 6 days rest. Verlander would pitch Monday, 10/16 (game 3) with normal rest. So, the scenario that best fits your concern is for the Astros to lose Sunday and Monday and win Wednesday. I think the vast majority of Astros fans would prefer that Verlander and Keuchel both make their next starts with 7 days rest. The 'struggling' you refer to is such a small sample size as to be statistically insignificant. And...if their struggling means the Astros will give up 2 runs in 6 innings to (most likely) Cleveland, followed by 1 run in 6 innings. I'll take my chances with those numbers.
If you think the start times are bad now, then don't root for an LA/Chicago NLCS, because at least every other game will be a 3:08 first pitch in the ALCS in that case, while the NLCS will have all games start at 7:08. This is what happened last year. Best case for us is a Wash/Ariz NLCS, then we might get most of the 7:08 time slots.
Like I said...as of now, but you're probably right and I don't care enough to talk about the weather anymore: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ma/boston/KMABOSTO55
