Major League Baseball returns to British shores once again this weekend, as the Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals at the London Stadium. Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 MLB London Series.
2023 is the second time in which US Baseball will play in London. Back in 2019, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox played out a two-game series – the first first-ever regular season MLB games to be played in Europe.
The Yankees emerged victorious from both of those matchups at West Ham’s London Stadium. They defeated the Red Sox 17-13 in the first game before winning 12-8 the next day. These high-scoring affairs ensured that British baseball fans definitely got to see plenty of action.
Four years later, MLB has brought back its London Series with two of its most historic franchises making the trip across the Atlantic. When are the games between the Cubs and Cardinals, though?
MLB London Series: Start time
The first of two showdowns between the NL Central rivals take place on Saturday 24 June. This begins at 6:10pm UK time, making for prime Saturday evening viewing for British baseball fans.
In contrast, back across the pond, the MLB London Series Game 1 begins at 1:10pm ET.
Game two of this short series is the day after, so Sunday 25 June. The second Cubs vs Cardinals game is a little earlier than Saturday’s clash, beginning at 3:10pm UK time. This is, therefore, Sunday morning viewing for the east coast of America, as the game will start at 10:10am ET.
The rare opportunity to watch Major League Baseball in the UK means that fans can expect a sell-out crowd at London Stadium this weekend. Unfortunately, though, many people will also miss out on the experience. So, how can you watch it from the comfort of your own home?
How to watch Cubs vs Cardinals in the UK
There are two different destinations where you can watch the 2023 MLB London Series. Firstly, BT Sport have the TV rights to many major league games in 2023 – with this international matchup no different.
Coverage of Saturday’s game is on BT Sport 1 from 5pm. The following day’s action is on the same channel but starts at 2pm instead.
To use BT Sport, you do need to buy a subscription from the provider. This can be linked to your TV, although you can also use the BT Sport app to stream the game across a range of devices.
Alternatively, BBC Sport are a second option who are set to broadcast these particular games for free. In September 2022, the BBC and MLB announced a multi-year agreement to show set MLB clashes, including the London Series.
Cubs vs Cardinals will be live across various BBC sources, including the red button, on iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website.
We now know the when and where of this exciting event. But how are the two teams that will face off in London faring this season?
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals: the rivals’ 2023 so far
*All W/L records & stats are accurate as of 20/6/2023.
These two historic rivals have not enjoyed the most promising campaigns in 2023.
Firstly, the Cardinals came into this season with expectations of repeating their NL Central division title from 2022. However, this has not been the case.
Despite having star players such as Nolan Arenado and 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis find themselves bottom of the division with a 30-43 record.
The team’s core struggles seem to lie with pitching. The Cardinals’ pitching staff is 22nd out of 30 on combined ERA, at 4.48. Additionally, they are 27th in WHIP, all of which is bad news at a hitter-friendly park that many expect London Stadium to be.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs are just one place above their rivals in the NL Central, boasting a 34-38 record. Both teams are multiple games behind the division-leading Cincinnati Reds; each division winner earns a spot in the playoffs, making this NL Central series in London all the more crucial.
The Cubbies and Cards have already played a series in their “I-55 rivalry” this season. St. Louis secured bragging rights during May’s three-game stand, winning two of their three clashes. They will hope for the same success in London this weekend to keep adding to the wins column.
The latest chapter in this storied rivalry should ensure a thrilling 2023 MLB London Series for fans to enjoy.
Featured image credit: Getty