ESPN's win probability score bug is universally hated by fans during all MLB playoff broadcasts
During the MLB postseason, TV broadcasts switch from local coverage to national at ESPN and that comes with some unwelcome changes.
While that means fans do not get to hear the announcers that they have grown accustomed to during the 162-game regular season, there are some other very notable adjustments as well.
For example, ESPN's broadcasts include a "win probability" graphic on the score bug. It will occasionally even show that the team who is leading has a lower chance to win than the one trailing, which is frustrating.
This is something that the network has done all season but it is coming under fire with more eyes on it during the playoffs. ESPN tried something similar in 2017 but many were not pleased and it drove fans nuts.
Before the season began, ESPN's Phil Orlins correctly predicted that fans would not immediately love this new change (via ESPN Press Room):
"People who obviously have a wager on the game maybe have a little more thought about it as well. I just, after a lot of debate, think it’s — we want to embrace the differentiation there. I think it will — you know, it will cause some reaction. It will not probably at the outset be mostly positive reaction, but I think over time it will connect with the psyche and intentions of the viewers."
He added that he was "100 percent sure that backlash will diminish over time" once people got adjusted. But that time has certainly not come quite yet.
Meanwhile, however, some have worried that it gives fans "gambling brain" and others just find it an eyesore. Some feel the statistic itself is a fugazi and not particularly useful.
Regardless of the reason, many are critical of this addition. As a wise man named Han Solo once said: Never tell me the odds.
Fans do not like ESPN's win probability
Not the biggest priority right now, but this win probability tracker ESPN shows for every pitch is so pointless.
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) October 1, 2024
My irritation is totally erased by the fact that the Mets won but let’s not forget all the ways in which that ESPN broadcast last night was a total clown show:
- The win probabilities just being totally wrong for much of the game?
- Commercials mid at-bat— Allison McCague, PhD 🧬⚾️ (@PetitePhD) October 2, 2024
How about we don’t show win probability the entire game @espn
— Jake Reetz (@jajareetz) October 1, 2024
I am once again asking where ESPN gets these win probability numbers from
— Mike (@SRSMike) October 1, 2024
The Mets have won and ESPN still has the Brewers win probability at 5%
— W E S (@MetsWes) October 2, 2024
Media integrations with sportsbooks are so broken that @espn’s win probability model is LITERALLY contradicting @ESPNBET’s Live Odds in the Mets vs Brewers game#LGM #Undaunted pic.twitter.com/F9VPy3LRNs
— Keith (@KeithKavJr) October 1, 2024
Can I vent about ESPN's baseball broadcast?
Get rid of the stupid win probability, get rid of the persistent strike zone box, your score widget sucks, and why is every single camera angle shakey— Cam (@Cam_inKC) October 1, 2024
The win probability thing above the scoreboard is the stupidest thing ever @espn
— Bobby Witt jr. fan page (@userthree_33) October 1, 2024
I’m irrationally angry with the win probability in the corner of the screen.
— Jenn (@adairsx5) October 1, 2024
Having the team currently up a run and at bat behind in win probability is odd, right?
— Jarrett Seidler (@jaseidler) October 1, 2024
Never mind the dropped audio and the weird camera mistakes, it's the permanent "win probability" stat — the stupidest, most useless stat in sports — on the scorebug that makes ESPN's baseball broadcasts so obnoxious.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 1, 2024
Am I nuts or does it make no sense for espn’s “win probability” to be 54% for the Brewers… while they’re losing? I get it being extremely close this early, but come on
— Brett Herskowitz (@bretther) October 1, 2024
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: ESPN's win probability score bug is universally hated by fans during all MLB playoff broadcasts
