Amid a hiring spree of new analysts and hosts, MLB Network is also developing new programming for the upcoming season.
As reported by Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy, the network is launching a new show titled Off Base, which will air at 3 p.m. ET during the regular season and is set to debut after Opening Day (April 7). Hosted by Lauren Gardner, Off Base will be MLB Network’s first new studio show since MLB Central debuted in 2015.
Gardner has been with MLB Network (and NHL Network) since 2019, hosting studio programming including MLB Tonight, Hot Stove, and Quick Pitch. She was also part of last year’s all-female MLB broadcast on YouTube, hosting pre- and post-game coverage for the July 21 game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles.
During her broadcasting career, Gardner has hosted and reported for CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports Ohio, Altitude TV, MTV2, Smithsonian Channel, and DAZN.
According to McCarthy, Off Base will be a panel-focused program aimed at younger baseball fans and will replace The Rundown on MLB Network’s daytime schedule.
The new show joins a revamped daytime lineup that includes an additional hour of morning show MLB Central, beginning at 9 a.m. ET. The network has also an array of new on-air talent including analysts Hunter Pence, Jake Peavy, Alex Avila, Cameron Maybin, Ruben Amaro Jr., and Bo Porter. A.J. Andrews, Kelana Martin, and Siera Santos are joining as new hosts.
Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at iancass@gmail.com.
