MLB Central on location for Padres-Mets finale Thursday

Citi Field gets the spotlight in two ways this week.

Before the Mets host the Padres on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series that could help determine a tight NL Wild Card race, MLB Network's "MLB Central" will broadcast its show from the stadium a few hours before, starting at 10 a.m. ET.

"There is an energy to broadcasting from the field. Boots on the ground," said co-host Mark DeRosa. "We can sit here in the studio and think we have an idea of the energy and the vibe around a certain team, but to get on the field and actually interact with the players and see how they go about their business makes a huge difference."

It marks the latest on-site broadcast for the show, which airs weekdays at 10 a.m. and is co-hosted by DeRosa, Lauren Shehadi and Robert Flores. Just this season, "MLB Central" aired live from Yankee Stadium on Opening Day, from the All-Star Game in Atlanta in July and from the Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway in August.

The show will continue to air live through the World Series, including on site at the Fall Classic.

"It just feels bigger when we’re at the park. The excitement, the atmosphere, it makes for a bigger show," Shehadi said. "We’re approaching the best time of year."

There will certainly be plenty to talk about during the visit to Citi Field, as the Padres and Mets have each brought drama to the NL Wild Card race.

San Diego holds a four-game lead on New York for the second Wild Card spot, with the Mets clinging to a 1 1/2-game lead over the Diamondbacks for the third spot entering play Wednesday. The winner of the series at Citi Field will go into the final week feeling better about its position.

"The Mets have everything on the line. They have a chance to get back to the postseason and change the narrative and go on a hot run and have a memorable October," DeRosa said. "I think the Padres are one of those teams that no one wants to play when they get into the postseason because they’re superstar-laden, and at any moment, they can get hot and go on a run."

Speaking of a run, "MLB Central" is riding a good one. DeRosa, Shehadi and Flores recently celebrated 1,000 episodes together, with the show seeing an 8% increase in average viewership over 2024 as of Monday, according to Nielsen.

"I think 'MLB Central' continues to work because the three of us truly enjoy being around each other. We are no different when the camera is off compared to when it’s on," DeRosa said. "We always try to lean into the positive stories of the game. We like to tell the truth, but we like to lean into the fun and what makes the game great."