St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny no fan of Sunday Night Baseball

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is no fan of having to play on Sunday Night in front of a national audience.
May 11, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (22) throws batting practice before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It has nothing to do with being picked to play in front of a national audience but more so as to how it affects the team’s performance. ESPN picked three different Cardinals games during the month of May. One of those games comes on a night before an afternoon game on Memorial Day.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Derrick Goold reported Matheny’s comments about having to play games that air on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. Here’s a small excerpt:

"“It is a compliment that they want to see us on the national scene,” Matheny said. “(But) I don’t think it’s taken into consideration at all that it makes it harder for us. You get back at 4 a.m. and have to play the next day? You’re telling me that’s not going to affect you? We’re not looking for excuses, but it’s happened to us. You start watching guys get run down.”"

Living outside of the Fox Sports Midwest viewing area, the only games I have the opportunity to watch are those on ESPN, Fox Sports 1, TBS, WGN, or the MLB Network. I cherish each opportunity that I get to watch the Cardinals, and while I respect Matheny’s opinions and understand where he’s coming from, I like having a chance to catch a game on television.