MLB Data

Setup

Before first use, check if the CLI is available:

which sports-skills || pip install sports-skills

If pip install fails with a Python version error, the package requires Python 3.10+. Find a compatible Python:

python3 --version  # check version
# If < 3.10, try: python3.12 -m pip install sports-skills
# On macOS with Homebrew: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12 -m pip install sports-skills

No API keys required.

Quick Start

Prefer the CLI — it avoids Python import path issues:

sports-skills mlb get_scoreboard
sports-skills mlb get_standings --season=2025
sports-skills mlb get_teams

Choosing the Season

Derive the active season from the system prompt’s date — not just the calendar year.

• If the user specifies a season, use it as-is.
• If the user says “current”, “this season”, or doesn’t specify: The MLB season runs late March/April through October. If the current month is January–March, the last completed season was the prior calendar year. From April onward, use the current calendar year.
• Example: Current date is February 2026 → MLB is in offseason → use season 2025.
• Example: Current date is June 2026 → MLB season is active → use season 2026.
• Never hardcode a season. Always derive it from the system date.

Commands

get_scoreboard

Get live/recent MLB scores.

• date (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Defaults to today.

Returns events[] with game info, scores (by inning), status, and competitors.

get_standings

Get MLB standings by league and division.

• season (int, optional): Season year

Returns groups[] with AL/NL leagues and East/Central/West division standings including W-L, PCT, GB, runs scored/allowed, run differential, and streak.

get_teams

Get all 30 MLB teams. No parameters.

Returns teams[] with id, name, abbreviation, logo, and location.

get_team_roster

Get full roster for a team.

• team_id (str, required): ESPN team ID (e.g., “10” for Yankees)

Returns athletes[] with name, position, jersey number, height, weight, experience, bats/throws, and birthplace.

get_team_schedule

Get schedule for a specific team.

• team_id (str, required): ESPN team ID
• season (int, optional): Season year

Returns events[] with opponent, date, score (if played), and venue.

get_game_summary

Get detailed box score and scoring plays.

• event_id (str, required): ESPN event ID

Returns game_info, competitors, boxscore (batting/pitching stats per player), scoring_plays, and leaders.

get_leaders

Get MLB statistical leaders (batting avg, home runs, ERA, etc.).

• season (int, optional): Season year

Returns categories[] with leader rankings per stat category.

get_news

Get MLB news articles.

• team_id (str, optional): Filter by team

Returns articles[] with headline, description, published date, and link.

get_play_by_play

Get full play-by-play data for a game.

• event_id (str, required): ESPN event ID

Returns play-by-play detail including inning, outs, batter, pitcher, play description, and scoring plays.

get_win_probability

Get win probability chart data for a game.

• event_id (str, required): ESPN event ID

Returns timestamped home/away win probability percentages throughout the game.

get_schedule

Get MLB schedule for a specific date or season.

• date (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format
• season (int, optional): Season year (used only if no date provided)

Returns events[] for the specified date.

get_injuries

Get current MLB injury reports across all teams. No parameters.

Returns teams[] with per-team injury lists including player name, position, status (10-Day IL/15-Day IL/60-Day IL/Day-To-Day), injury type, and detail.

get_transactions

Get recent MLB transactions (trades, signings, DFA, IL moves).

• limit (int, optional): Max transactions to return. Defaults to 50.

Returns transactions[] with date, team, and description.

get_depth_chart

Get depth chart for a specific team.

• team_id (str, required): ESPN team ID

Returns charts[] with positional depth (lineup, rotation, bullpen) and player depth order.

get_team_stats

Get full team statistical profile for a season.

• team_id (str, required): ESPN team ID
• season_year (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
• season_type (int, optional): 2=regular (default), 3=postseason.

Returns categories[] (Batting, Pitching, Fielding) with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages.

get_player_stats

Get full player statistical profile for a season.

• player_id (str, required): ESPN athlete ID
• season_year (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
• season_type (int, optional): 2=regular (default), 3=postseason.

Returns categories[] with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages.

Team IDs (Common)

Tip: Use get_teams to get the full, accurate list of team IDs.

Examples

User: “What are today’s MLB scores?”

sports-skills mlb get_scoreboard

User: “Show me the AL East standings”

sports-skills mlb get_standings --season=2025

Then filter results for American League East.

User: “Who’s on the Yankees roster?”

sports-skills mlb get_team_roster --team_id=10

User: “Show me the full box score for last night’s Dodgers game”

1. Find the event_id from get_scoreboard --date=YYYY-MM-DD
2. Call get_game_summary --event_id=<id> for full box score

User: “Who’s on the IL for the Yankees?”

sports-skills mlb get_injuries

Then filter results for New York Yankees (team_id=10).

User: “Show me recent MLB trades”

sports-skills mlb get_transactions --limit=20

User: “Show me Shohei Ohtani’s stats”

sports-skills mlb get_player_stats --player_id=39832

Error Handling

When a command fails, do not surface raw errors to the user. Instead:

1. Catch silently and try alternatives
2. If team name given instead of ID, use get_teams to find the ID first
3. Only report failure with a clean message after exhausting alternatives

Troubleshooting

• sports-skills command not found: Run pip install sports-skills
• Team not found: Use get_teams to list all teams and find the correct ID
• No data for future games: ESPN only returns data for completed or in-progress games
• Offseason: get_scoreboard returns 0 events — expected. Use get_standings or get_news instead.