5 things to binge-watch this weekend: Baseball edition – USA TODAY

Let’s play ball.

The Major League Baseball playoffs are well under way, and if you’re a Cubs, Dodgers, Blue Jays or Indians fan, that’s really good news for you (and if you’re a Cubs fan, that’s really, really good news for you). Whether you’re watching the NLCS and ALCS this weekend or not, it’s a good time to revisit one of our favorite film and TV genres: baseball. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite baseball films and TV shows that are available on streaming for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully they won’t, er, strike out with you (sorry, we had to do it).

If you need a new weekly show: Pitch 

If you would like to, ahem, take a swing at a new network show this fall, you may want to try Pitch. The first episode is a little rough (especially if it’s hard to watch people fail and/or be embarrassed), but the story of the first female major league baseball player has garnered critical praise and buzz. According to USA TODAY TV Critic Robert Bianco, “with some fine performances and a good sense for the frenzy Ginny might cause, Pitch is, all told, an entertaining hour.”

Stream the first four Pitch on Hulu. And you can watch new episodes on Fox.

If you like your humor sloppy and dark: Eastbound and Down

Although Eastbound and Down doesn’t technically take place in the hallowed halls of a professional baseball field, the sport is in the DNA of the Will Ferrell and Adam McKay-produced HBO series. Danny McBride stars as a burnt-out professional baseball player that’s forced to return to his hometown and teach P.E. at his old middle school. Things go just as you might guess for the man who is not exactly the nicest you’ll ever meet.

Stream Eastbound and Down on HBO Go.

If you want a classic: A League of Their Own

There’s no crying in baseball, but re-watching the Geena Davis and Tom Hanks-starring film about the women’s baseball league during WWII might just make you tear up. Maybe it’s when the Peaches win the World Series or when we learn Betty’s husband died in the war or when everyone reunites at the end. No matter what, you’ll feel good after watching.

Stream A League of Their Own on Amazon with a Starz subscription.

If you want a romantic comedy with just a little baseball peppered in: Fever Pitch

Fever Pitch is perhaps the height of the Drew Barrymore romantic comedy. Sure, she’s swapped out Adam Sandler for Jimmy Fallon (remember when he was going to be a movie star instead of just telling stars how much he likes their movies?), but the tropes are all there. She’s a bumbling romantic lead, there’s a weird conceit keeping her and her man apart and, after rushing Fenway Park, everything works out in the end. OK, the Fenway thing only happens in Fever Pitch but you get it.

Stream Fever Pitch on Amazon with a Starz subscription.

If your team lost and you’re feeling cynical: Major League

Sometimes baseball movies are all about heart and inspiration and sportsmanship. And sometimes, they’re just about revenge. Take the Cleveland Indians in Major League, who are assembled to be the worst baseball team in history (this year not so much). Once they figure it out, they take revenge by being the best team of the season. In addition to being genuinely dirty and hilarious, the movie features a young Charlie Sheen as a player nick-named “Wild Thing”. And yes, they play the song.

Stream Major League on Netflix.

You can scroll through more of our binge recommendations below (see last week’s here).

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GREY’S ANATOMY – “Grey’s Anatomy” concludes the season with a shocking two-hour telecast, THURSDAY, MAY 14 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the second part, “Now or Never” (10:00-11:00 p.m.), George delivers stunning news to Bailey, sending shockwaves throughout the hospital, and Izzie’s friends anxiously await her recovery from surgery. Meanwhile Bailey is surprisingly displeased after being accepted into the pediatric fellowship program, and the victim of a near-fatal traffic accident brings the talents of Seattle Grace’s doctors together. (ABC/SCOTT GARFIELD) ELLEN POMPEO, PATRICK DEMPSEY (Via MerlinFTP Drop) 
Scott Garfield, ABC

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