Mlb Data

MLB Data

Before writing queries, consult references/api-reference.md for endpoints, ID conventions, and data shapes.

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

CRITICAL: Before Any Query

CRITICAL: Before calling any data endpoint, verify:

• Season year is derived from the system prompt's currentDate — never hardcoded.
• If only a team name is provided, call get_teams to resolve the team ID before using team-specific commands.

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.

Commands

See references/api-reference.md for full parameter lists and return shapes.

Examples

Example 1: Today's scores User says: "What are today's MLB scores?" Actions: 1. Call get_scoreboard() Result: All live and recent MLB games with scores by inning and status

Example 2: Division standings User says: "Show me the AL East standings" Actions: 1. Derive season year from currentDate 2. Call get_standings(season=<derived_year>) 3. Filter results for American League East Result: AL East standings with W-L, PCT, GB, run differential

Example 3: Team roster User says: "Who's on the Yankees roster?" Actions: 1. Call get_team_roster(team_id="10") Result: Full Yankees roster with name, position, bats/throws, height, weight

Example 4: Game box score User says: "Show me the full box score for last night's Dodgers game" Actions: 1. Call get_scoreboard(date="<yesterday>") to find the event_id 2. Call get_game_summary(event_id=<id>) for full box score Result: Complete box score with batting/pitching stats per player

Example 5: Injury report User says: "Who's on the IL for the Yankees?" Actions: 1. Call get_injuries() 2. Filter results for New York Yankees (team_id=10) Result: Yankees IL list with player name, position, IL type, and injury detail

Example 6: Player statistics User says: "Show me Shohei Ohtani's stats" Actions: 1. Derive season year from currentDate 2. Call get_player_stats(player_id="39832", season_year=<derived_year>) Result: Season stats by category (batting, pitching) with value, rank, and per-game averages

Commands that DO NOT exist — never call these

• ~~get_odds~~ / ~~get_betting_odds~~ — not available. For prediction market odds, use the polymarket or kalshi skill.
• ~~search_teams~~ — does not exist. Use get_teams instead.
• ~~get_box_score~~ — does not exist. Use get_game_summary instead.
• ~~get_player_ratings~~ — does not exist. Use get_player_stats instead.

If a command is not listed in the Commands table above, it does not exist.

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

Error: sports-skills command not found Cause: Package not installed Solution: Run pip install sports-skills

Error: Team not found by ID Cause: Wrong or outdated ESPN team ID used Solution: Call get_teams to get the current list of all 30 MLB teams with their IDs

Error: No data returned for a future game Cause: ESPN only returns data for completed or in-progress games Solution: Use get_schedule to see upcoming game details; get_scoreboard only covers active/recent games

Error: Offseason — scoreboard returns 0 events Cause: No games scheduled during the offseason (November–March) Solution: Use get_standings or get_news instead; MLB offseason transactions are available via get_transactions

MLB Data — API Reference

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

Use get_teams for the complete, authoritative list.

MLB Team IDs

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