ESPN drops plans for four-game MLB final-day coverage

ESPN had planned to carry an MLB doubleheader on Wednesday, the final day of baseball's regular-season, as well as air a doubleheader on ESPN2.

But in a that just a few weeks ago had potential for plenty of last-minute drama but now has had its playoff picture largely settled, ESPN/ESPN2 will carry just two games Wednesday rather than four.

With coverage on both channels starting at 7 p.m. ET, ESPN will carry the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox -- always a ratings draw -- while ESPN2 will carry the Baltimore Orioles vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. Viewers facing local blackouts will get the other game being aired.

But at least ESPN has this to entice viewers: It plans to cut to Detroit-Kansas City for each of Miguel Cabrera's at-bats as the Tigers third baseman tries to become MLB's first Triple Crown winner since 1967.

ESPN had planned a second game on each channel that would have aired opposite the presidential campaign debate starting at 9 p.m. ET. The first debate in presidential campaigns usually ends up the most-viewed. But it's not necessarily bad for sports to go up against big political events, such as presidential state-of-the-union addresses, because their coverage on multiple channels can reduce the competition for viewers looking for entertainment.

Worth a replay: NBC's Johnny Miller sees "colossal collapse" in U.S. Ryder Cup loss. .... With the presidential debate coming up, a real-life but scary sports story about Mitt Romney.