:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68549668/usa_today_14922747.0.jpg)
ESPN released its Sunday Night Baseball schedule for the first half of 2021 regular season on Friday. Right now, we do not know how many games will be played next season, but for the time being the season will begin on April 1.
As for Sunday Night Baseball, the first game will be a few days later on April 4 between the Mike Trout-led Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox, who feature AL MVP Jose Abreu and new manager Tony LaRussa. That game like the rest this season will be broadcasted on ESPN, but at a special time of 8:30 p.m. ET.
After that, NL MVP Freddie Freeman will make his 2021 Sunday Night Baseball debut on April 11 as the Atlanta Braves play Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies. Between April and July, the Braves and the Phillies will have been featured on Sunday night baseball a total of five times.
Also, something to keep an eye is the San Diego Padres making their return to Sunday night for the first time since 2007. Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. will take on the defending World Series champion, Los Angeles Dodgers on April 25. Their second Sunday night will happen a few weeks later on May 16 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lastly, ESPN’s first half schedule wraps up on July 4 with a subway series matchup between the New York Mets and New York Yankees. It is no love lost between the two inner city rivals and it remains to be seen if both teams could be in contention for a playoff spot by that time.
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball schedule, 1st half 2021
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
| April 4 | 8:30 p.m. | Chicago White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels |
| April 11 | 7 p.m. | Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves |
| April 18 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta Braves vs. Chicago Cubs |
| April 25 | 7 p.m. | San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers |
| May 2 | 7 p.m. | New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies |
| May 9 | 7 p.m. | Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves |
| May 16 | 7 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres |
| May 23 | 7 p.m. | Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals |
| May 30 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets |
| July 4 | 7 p.m. | New York Mets vs. New York Yankees |
| July 15 | 7 p.m. | Thursday MLB second-half opener: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees |
| July 18 | 7 p.m. | Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees |
| Sept. 12 | 8 p.m. | New York Yankees vs. New York Mets |