TBS drew a 3.8 overnight rating for last night's Cardinals-Cubs NLDS Game 3, a figure that is tied for the best NLDS Game 3 since the Dodgers-Cubs series clincher in '08. It also is the best overnight for any LDS game since '12. St. Louis led all markets with a 27.7 local rating. Chicago drew a 22.3 rating, which is the best for any MLB game in the market since the White Sox' Game 4 World Series clincher in '05. Meanwhile, in the late primetime window, TBS drew a 3.1 overnight for Dodgers-Mets Game 3. That game drew a 10.9 local rating in N.Y., which is the best for any Mets game since '12. The TBS doubleheader last night averaged a 3.5 overnight. Meanwhile, FS1 drew a 1.6 overnight for Royals-Astros ALDS Game 4 and a 1.4 overnight for Blue Jays-Rangers Game 4. A Fox Sports spokesperson said with two Game 5s now on the schedule, the net would "probably end up ahead of last year’s Division Series on FS1 on a total rating points basis" (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor). In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes the controversy surrounding Dodgers 2B Chase Utley's slide during Game 2 of the NLDS against the Mets "was not bad for baseball's business," and in fact, it "was terrific." As baseball "fades as a national television attraction, the Division Series are not exactly must-see TV." When Utley broke Mets SS Ruben Tejada's leg, "an element of violence was incorporated into the Dodgers-Mets NLDS." When it comes to sports, "violence sells." And if the media "can prime the pump, speculating and encouraging the prospect of more mayhem, all the better." Already, TBS’ Dodgers-Mets ratings "are trending upward" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/13).
SECOND CAREER COMING: Braves C A.J. Pierzynski, appearing as a Fox Sports postseason analyst for the fourth time, drew social media praise for his commentary during yesterday afternoon's Royals-Astros ALDS Game 4 on FS1. Blogger Aaron Gleeman: "It turns out A.J. Pierzynski is a thoughtful, interesting TV analyst with a good, calm voice. Might be the breakout star of this postseason." CBSSports.com's Dayn Perry: "Declared: Pierzynski is good in the booth." ESPN's Adam Amin: "I know it’s been said before but I really enjoy AJ Pierzynski’s analyst work. Matty V, Smoltz, AJ have been a great listen." The Tacoma News Tribune's Bob Dutton: "Smoltz and Pierzynski are terrific and informative on FS1 telecast. Props also to Vasgersian for low-key play-by-play and letting them talk."
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ASSUME? Raissman writes it "was not a hot night" for analyst Ron Darling when in the fifth inning of Dodgers-Mets Game 3, a TBS camera "replayed a dugout shot" of Mets P Matt Harvey telling manager Terry Collins "one more (inning)." Darling on the broadcast said, "I guess the big fella (Harvey) talked him into one more." But Harvey’s night "was through" and "another of Darling’s 'premature assumptions' was wrong" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/13).
