What's ahead this week on MLB Network

April 14th, 2020

MLB Network has you covered while we wait for baseball to return, with classic games and documentaries airing all week long. From World Series classics to players hitting for the cycle, here's a look at what's ahead for the week of April 13-19.

1982 World Series film -- 10 a.m. ET

The 1982 World Series between the Cardinals and Brewers (then in the American League) was dubbed the "Suds Series," since both cities were home to major brewing companies -- St. Louis is home to Anheuser-Busch and Milwaukee is where Miller Brewing Company has its headquarters. The two clubs were very different -- the Brewers launched 216 home runs and were nicknamed "Harvey's Wallbangers" after manager Harvey Kuenn, while the Cardinals hit just 67 homers but had a strong pitching staff and were aggressive on the basepaths. The series was a classic, going seven games with the Cardinals prevailing, winning their first world championship since 1968.

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"Baseball's Seasons: 1982" -- 11 a.m. ET

Future Hall of Famers in their prime abounded in 1982. Rickey Henderson stole a career-high 130 bases that season, setting a new single-season record after eclipsing Lou Brock's 118 from 1974. Mike Schmidt was coming off back-to-back National League MVP Awards. Robin Yount would have his finest season, earning the AL MVP Award. There was Paul Molitor, Andre Dawson, Gary Carter, Ozzie Smith, Fernando Valenzuela -- the list goes on and on. Watch the entire story of how the '82 season unfolded and culminated in a Cardinals championship.

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1982 World Series Game 2, Brewers at Cardinals -- Noon and 11 p.m. ET

Cardinals catcher Darrell Porter doubled and drove in two runs to help St. Louis even the World Series with a 5-4 victory over Milwaukee. Brewers catcher Ted Simmons, voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee last year, belted a solo home run in the third inning.

1982 World Series Game 7, Brewers at Cardinals -- 3 p.m. ET

The sixth inning was pivotal in this decisive contest, when Keith Hernandez delivered a clutch two-run single to tie the game and George Hendrick followed with a go-ahead single. Porter and Steve Braun added RBI singles in the eighth, and St. Louis captured its first World Series title in 14 years.

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"MLB Network Presents: Birds of a Different Game: The '80s Cardinals" -- 7 p.m. ET

Watch this comprehensive documentary on how the Cardinals became an NL powerhouse in the 1980s, winning a world championship in '82 and playing their own unique brand of baseball. Ozzie Smith, Keith Hernandez and Vince Coleman led a St. Louis squad that wasn't big on power, but won anyway under the guidance of Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog, reaching the World Series again in '87.

TUESDAY: Happy birthday, Greg Maddux!

1995 World Series Film -- 7:30 a.m. ET

The 1995 World Series was a classic matchup of elite pitching vs. power hitting. The Braves boasted the best starting rotation of the decade, with Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz overmatching batters to lead Atlanta to its third NL pennant of the decade. The Indians' lineup was loaded, with manager Mike Hargrove penciling in names like Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome every day. Both clubs were seeking to end a long championship drought -- the Braves hadn't won a World Series since the franchise moved to Atlanta in 1966, and the Indians hadn't won a world championship since 1948.

"Baseball's Seasons: 1995" -- 8:30 a.m. ET

New ballparks, the first Wild Card teams, exhilarating postseason finishes and a championship drought finally broken. The 1995 season had it all, and in this edition of "Baseball's Seasons," you'll see the hit that saved baseball for an entire city, a three-year-old team reaching the postseason for the first time, and the "team of the '90s" finally winning it all.

Cubs at Giants, Aug. 7, 2004 -- 10 a.m. ET

Maddux entered the 2004 season needing just 11 wins to reach 300, and he closed the gap to one by the end of July. The right-hander had a chance to achieve the historic feat at home against the Phillies on Aug. 1 but took a no-decision, as the Cubs' offense didn't break through until he was already out of the game. Six days later, Maddux defeated Barry Bonds and the Giants in San Francisco to become the 22nd member of the 300-win club.

1995 World Series Game 1, Indians at Braves -- 12:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET

A complete game on 95 pitches? Why, that's "a Maddux." In this case it is, literally. Greg Maddux was the best pitcher of the 1990s, and in his first World Series start, he limited one of the best lineups in MLB history to two singles --one by Hall of Famer Jim Thome in the fifth inning, and one by Kenny Lofton in the ninth. Maddux didn't walk a single batter and gave up just two unearned runs, while Fred McGriff launched a solo homer off Orel Hershiser in a 3-2 Atlanta victory.

1996 World Series Game 2, Braves at Yankees -- 3 p.m. ET

Maddux was brilliant at Yankee Stadium, tossing eight scoreless innings and scattering six hits without issuing a walk to lead the Braves to a 4-0 win. He threw 82 pitches before turning things over to Mark Wohlers in the ninth, 62 of which were strikes. Atlanta was unable to defend its World Series title, but Maddux shined again on the biggest of stages.

"MLB Network Presents: Atlanta Rules, the Story of the '90s Braves" -- 5 p.m. ET

The entire story, from a last-place team ending the decade of the 1980s to the most successful NL franchise of the '90s. Watch how the Braves acquired and developed one of the best starting staffs in baseball history, and complemented it with truly special talents like Chipper Jones, who would anchor the lineup for almost two decades.

Brewers at Braves, May 2, 2001 -- 6 p.m. ET

This was vintage Maddux, even at age 35. The veteran right-hander carved up Milwaukee hitters to the tune of a career-high 14 strikeouts while he walked one and gave up two hits in another shutout. The only run of the game, and the only one Maddux needed, came courtesy of a B.J. Surhoff homer in the second inning.

WEDNESDAY: Jackie Robinson Day

There have been many thrilling Jackie Robinson Day games over the years, celebrating the life and legacy of the great Brooklyn Dodger who broke baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947. Wednesday is the 73rd anniversary of that historic event, and MLB Network will air classic Jackie Robinson Day games throughout the day.

2009: Giants at Dodgers -- 5:30 a.m. ET

Talk about a vintage performance from one of the greatest starting pitchers of all time. Clayton Kershaw was masterful against the Dodgers' arch-rivals, the Giants, striking out 13 while walking one and yielding only one hit over seven innings at Dodger Stadium.

2010: Angels at Yankees -- 8:30 a.m. ET

If you're named after Jackie Robinson, what better day to have a day than Jackie Robinson Day? Robinson Canó launched two homers and Derek Jeter added another to help the Yankees beat the Angels, while former Yankee great Hideki Matsui homered against his former club.

"Play Ball: Jackie Robinson" (with special guest Ken Griffey Jr.) -- 11:30 am. ET

Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the greatest players of all time, and in his time was the most dynamic both at the plate and in center field. He was among the first players to don the number 42 in honor of Robinson on Jackie Robinson Day, and was the driving force behind all players eventually wearing 42 on that day. Hear from Griffey on Robinson during this special edition of "Play Ball."

2017: Pirates at Cubs -- 12 p.m. ET

On the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, there was an instant classic between the Pirates and Cubs at Wrigley Field. Chicago jumped out to a 6-2 lead early, but Pittsburgh rode a five-run seventh inning to an 8-7 victory. Kris Bryant went deep twice and Andrew McCutchen launched a homer as well.

2012: Padres at Dodgers -- 3 p.m. ET

Matt Kemp went 3-for-4 with a home run, and Dee Gordon was the walk-off hero in a 5-4 Dodgers win. Sense a theme? The Dodgers are 13-3 on Jackie Robinson Day.

Ken Burns' "Jackie Robinson" -- 7 p.m. ET

Ken Burns is unmatched when it comes to documentary filmmakers, and just as with his epic "Baseball" series, his Jackie Robinson film is a must-watch for every baseball fan.

THURSDAY: Stars make their debuts

"MLB Network Presents: The Bird" -- 12 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET

Mark Fidrych was one of the most eccentric and beloved figures in baseball history. The right-hander was sensational in his rookie season of 1976, taking the baseball world by storm with an MLB-leading 2.34 ERA and an AL-best 24 complete games. With his quirky antics on the mound and his contagious exuberance, Fidrych, who was given the nickname "The Bird" because a teammate said he looked like Sesame Street's Big Bird, became an instant fan favorite. Sadly, his big league career was a brief one.

Jacob deGrom: May 15, 2014, Yankees at Mets -- 1 p.m. ET

He had one of the greatest seasons by a starting pitcher in baseball history en route to being named the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2018. He followed that up by winning another Cy Young Award last season. But it all began for Jacob deGrom on May 15, 2014, when he dominated for seven innings against the Yankees. He yielded one run on four hits, walking two and striking out six. And perhaps as a sign of things to come, he was saddled with a loss, as the Yankees won the game, 1-0.

Aaron Judge: August 13, 2016, Rays at Yankees -- 3 p.m. ET

The Yanks homered five times in this 8-4 win over Tampa Bay, but one of those home runs, in particular, was special -- Aaron Judge's first. It came in the slugger's first career plate appearance, a bomb over the center-field wall off Matt Andriese. No one could have known just how prolific a home run hitter Judge would become in the Majors -- he set a rookie record with 52 homers in 2017 (since broken by Pete Alonso, who hit 53 last year).

"MLB Network Presents: Bench" -- 5 p.m. ET

He set the standard for catchers, both at the plate and behind it. Johnny Bench was the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year, a two-time NL MVP, a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner, a 14-time All-Star and the MVP of the 1976 World Series, in which he hit .533 with a pair of homers. Watch his story, from childhood through the present day, and learn more about the man behind the catcher's mask.

Bryce Harper: April 28, 2012, Nationals at Dodgers -- 6 p.m. ET

In one of the most highly anticipated Major League debuts in history, Bryce Harper took the field in a Nationals uniform for the first time at Dodger Stadium. The 18-year-old phenom went 1-for-3 with a double and a sacrifice fly in Washington's 4-3 walk-off loss.

Stephen Strasburg: June 8, 2010, Pirates at Nationals -- 8 p.m. ET

From one Nationals phenom to another, though this one made his debut two years earlier, here's a look back on the tremendous debut of Stephen Strasburg, the MVP of last year's World Series. The right-hander was electric, striking out 14 batters while giving up two runs and walking none over seven innings in Washington's 5-2 win.

Clayton Kershaw: May 25, 2008, Cardinals at Dodgers -- 11 p.m. ET

Sit back and enjoy the Major League debut of one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. And it turned out like you might expect -- seven innings, two runs on five hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. And the Dodgers got a walk-off win, too.

FRIDAY: Wild finishes

Astros at Indians, May 27, 2018 -- 11 a.m. ET

Down 8-3 in the bottom of the ninth? Not a problem for the Indians on this night -- the Tribe scored five times in the ninth to force extra innings, only to trail again, 9-8, in the 13th. But Yonder Alonso led off the bottom of the 13th with a game-tying homer off Collin McHugh. Then in the 14th, Greg Allen launched a walk-off shot against Brad Peacock, completing the epic comeback victory.

Nationals at Cubs, Aug. 12, 2018 -- 2 p.m. ET

The David Bote Game. In an incredible finish, the Cubs' infielder hit an "ultimate slam," a walk-off grand slam after his club had been down three runs. On top of that, he was pinch-hitting with two outs in the ninth inning. Needless to say, Wrigley erupted and the game became an instant classic.

2017 ALDS Game 2, Yankees at Indians -- 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET

The Yankees would go on to win the series in five games, but Game 2 was wild -- New York jumped out an 8-3 lead by the fifth inning, but the Tribe got a clutch grand slam from Francisco Lindor in the sixth and a game-tying solo homer from Jay Bruce in the eighth. The game was deadlocked until the 13th, when Yan Gomes delivered a walk-off single to put Cleveland up 2-0 in the series.

SATURDAY: Howie Kendrick and the 2019 Nationals

Play Ball with Howie Kendrick -- 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. ET

Find out from Kendrick how he's managed to remain successful in the Majors for 14 seasons and counting.

2019 NLDS Game 5, Nationals at Dodgers -- 10:30 a.m. ET

After rebounding from a 19-31 record to make the playoffs and coming back from an eighth-inning deficit in the National League Wild Card Game against the Brewers, the Nationals once again had their backs against the wall in Game 5 of the NL Division Series. But Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto hit back-to-back homers off Clayton Kershaw to tie the game in the top of the eighth, and Kendrick slugged a go-ahead grand slam in the 10th that set up Washington to advance to the NL Championship Series.

2019 NLCS Game 3, Cardinals at Nationals -- 1 p.m. ET

With a pair of wins in St. Louis, the Nationals took a 2-0 series lead back home for Game 3, and a day off did nothing to slow their momentum. Behind Kendrick's three doubles and three RBIs, the Nats piled up eight runs to back Stephen Strasburg, who struck out 12 batters over seven strong innings.

2019 NLCS Game 4, Cardinals at Nationals -- 3 p.m. ET

With a sweep in their sights, the Nationals jumped all over Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson for seven runs in the first inning and held on for a 7-4 win to punch their ticket to the World Series. Kendrick was named NLCS MVP after going 5-for-15 (.333) with four doubles, two walks, four RBIs and a 1.012 OPS in the series.

2019 World Series Game 1, Nationals at Astros -- 5 p.m. ET

The Astros gave Gerrit Cole a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the World Series opener, but solo homers from Ryan Zimmerman and Soto tied up the game, and Washington scored three more times off Cole in the top of the fifth to pull ahead. A Houston rally in the eighth inning fell short, and the Nats went on to win their seventh straight.

2019 World Series Game 7, Nationals at Astros -- 8 p.m. ET

Trailing 2-0 and down to their final eight outs, the Nationals had one more stunning comeback in them. After a Rendon homer and a Soto walk forced Astros starter Zack Greinke from the game, Houston manager AJ Hinch opted to go with Will Harris instead of turning to Cole out of the bullpen. Fittingly, it was Kendrick who delivered the decisive blow, poking a fly ball off the right-field foul pole for a go-ahead two-run homer.

2019 World Series Film -- 11 p.m. ET

The 2019 World Series was a back-and-forth battle between an Astros club seeking its second title in three years, and a resilient Nationals squad in search of the first championship in franchise history. For the first time ever in a Fall Classic, the road team went 7-0, culminating in a dramatic Nats victory at Minute Maid Park in Game 7.

SUNDAY: Postseason Game 7s

"Game 7" is one of the most exciting phrases in sports, signaling that everything is on the line. Sunday will be packed with some of the best Game 7s in recent memory.

1991 NLCS Game 7, Braves at Pirates -- 8:30 a.m. ET

John Smoltz twirls a complete-game shutout on the road at Three Rivers Stadium, helping the Braves clinch their first NL pennant since 1958 -- and their first since moving to Atlanta.

Then, at 11 a.m. ET, watch Smoltz break down his legendary performance in an hour-long "My Most Memorable Game" special.

1992 NLCS Game 7, Pirates at Braves -- 12 p.m. ET

The Bucs and Braves locked horns again the very next year, and combined for one of the most exciting seven-game series in recent memory. It all came down to a Game 7 thriller, as pinch-hitter Francisco Cabrera drove home Sid Bream for the pennant-winning run in a play at home plate.

2016 World Series Game 7, Cubs at Indians -- 3 p.m. ET

Two long-suffering fanbases packed the stands at Cleveland's Progressive Field for a tense Game 7, and an unbelievable back-and-forth affair soon followed. Don't miss this re-watch for Rajai Davis' game-tying dinger, the rain delay, the Cubs' rally and a celebration more than a century in the making.

2014 World Series Game 7, Giants at Royals -- 10 p.m. ET

Madison Bumgarner cements his folk legend with an otherworldly performance out of the bullpen. Don't forget about the drama following Alex Gordon's sprint to third base in the ninth.

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Manny Randhawa is a reporter for MLB.com based in Denver.