Ratings: MLB, Novak-Fed, WNBA, UEFA

Wednesday’s Cardinals-Dodgers Major League Baseball game had a 0.47 rating and 672,000 viewers on ESPN, up 57% in ratings and 64% in viewership from last year (Rangers-Angels: 0.30, 411K) but down 11% and 17% respectively from 2016 (Giants-Dodgers: 0.53, 813K). The increase came despite a 12% drop for the preceding Little League World Series game (from 1.48 to 1.29M).

The Cardinals’ win delivered the third-largest late night MLB audience since Opening Day behind a pair of Cubs-Dodgers games in June (814K; 691K). On Tuesday, another Cardinals-Dodgers matchup had a 0.41 and 605,000 (+83%).

Last Sunday’s Novak Djokovic–Roger Federer Cincinnati Masters final earned a 0.38 rating and 567,000 viewers on ESPN2, up 65% in ratings and 71% in viewership from last year (Gregor Dimitrov–Nick Kyrigos: 0.23, 331K) and the largest audience for the event since the 2015 final between the same two players (718K).

Earlier in the day, the Kiki Bertens–Simona Halep women’s final had a 0.25 and 358,000 (+48%).

Thursday’s Mercury-Sun WNBA second round playoff game had 253,000 viewers on ESPN2, up 102% from last year, when coverage aired on a Sunday afternoon opposite the NFL (Mystics-Liberty: 125K). Earlier in the night, Sparks-Mystics had just 197,000 — still up 77% from last year against the NFL (Mercury-Sun: 111K). All four WNBA playoff games thus far have posted a double-digit increase in viewership, though Thursday’s results come with an obvious caveat.

Wednesday’s AFC Ajax-FC Dynamo Kiev UEFA Champions League playoff match had 109,000 viewers on TNT, down 29% from Liverpool-Hoffenheim on FS1 last year (154K). Keep in mind TNT matches are also available via Turner Sports’ B/R Live over-the-top service. Figures for Tuesday’s match were not available.