Netflix host Elle Duncan set the tone for the platform’s first MLB Home Run Derby on Monday when she started the pregame show by saying, “I like big bats and I cannot lie.”An hour later, when more viewers tuned in for the start of the Derby, Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Jimmy Tatro — on a side set on Citizens Bank Park’s field — hawked their new Netflix show and provided commentary as the boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced the players. Ferrell, Wilson and Tatro were hard to hear, failed to say anything funny and, while granted this isn’t the most serious event, seemed out of place.Netflix mixed a lot at the top of its first Derby. From there, it had its ups and downs, but for those who stayed around, they got rewarded as the event and Netflix had their best moments.Netflix really could only go up from its Opening Night debacle featuring the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. As second MLB at-bats go, the Derby is a tricky one to produce — Netflix didn’t fully disprove that.Before this season, Netflix won the rights to the Derby after ESPN relinquished them, opting out of a deal that scrambled some of MLB’s rights. Netflix picked up a three-season contract for Opening Night, the Derby and the “Field of Dreams” game next month. It will pay $50 million a year for the three events.ESPN never really got the Home Run Derby completely right. Back in the day, Chris Berman used to overwhelm it, then post-Berman, it was underwhelming. So it wasn’t as if Netflix had a high bar in front of it. Nor did it set one on Opening Night.Netflix learned some things from Yankees-Giants. Save for the Ferrell hiccup, it was smart to nearly eliminate all the promos for Netflix shows that filled the Yankees-Giants stream. And, thankfully, there was no shirtless Bert Kreischer.There were odd tight shots on the batter that made it difficult to see where the ball was going on many occasions. That is something they should adjust for next year.While Netflix’s roster again included big names, like Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and CC Sabathia — who all did fine — the best part of the streamer’s presentation Monday was its main booth, which worked out quite well, given how the event ended.Matt Vasgersian is a true play-by-player, while Hunter Pence was so passionate the whole night. Anthony Rizzo, who also worked on Netflix’s studio and is on NBC’s “Sunday Night Baseball,” is comfortable on TV, though he needed to calm down a little about what the event means to the sport.In the most crucial moment, the finals between hometown Philadelphia Phillies favorite Kyle Schwarber and St. Louis Cardinals’ Jordan Walker, the broadcast was in Vasgersian’s and his analysts’ hands. After Schwarber put on a show with 11 home runs in 15 at-bats, the Philly crowd was booing Walker during his last licks.As Walker delivered his incredible come-from-behind victory, the camera stayed on a stoic Schwarber, the mics caught the fans’ negative reaction to each long ball and Vasgersian hit the calls, especially with a winner when it became deadlocked, “We … are … tied!”One swing later, Walker won the title. The dramatic ending made the whole night worth it for those who stuck around — and what will be of particular interest is how many folks watched it. ESPN had nearly 6 million viewers last July, while the all-time best numbers were 9.2 million in 1998 and 2008. Netflix is in roughly 90 million homes, but the streamers are still mostly unproven as drivers to non-NFL events.On air, the Bonds addition has been the most interesting for Netflix. He was terrible with the media as a player. He is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame because of steroid allegations. But he’s still the man with the most home runs in history, so his words have extra meaning.After winning in dramatic fashion, Walker joined Duncan, Rizzo, Bonds and Pujols on the Netflix lounge-like set on the third-base line. Bonds and Pujols were in the middle on a brown bench with leather cushions, while Rizzo and Duncan flanked them on white sofa chairs.Bonds told Walker that this was “the greatest Home Run Derby that I’ve seen.” For emphasis, he added that it was a big deal for him to say it.And it was.Walker’s whole family gathered around the lounge. Pujols, who has shown potential, brought Walker’s grandma into the conversation, asking how she was feeling. It gave a nice touch, focusing on the accomplishment, not the sideshows. She said she had been following her grandson since he was so little that they couldn’t find small enough cleats for him.“Now, you’ve got my attention,” Bonds added. “I’m going to watch a lot more of you.”Walker responded, “That’s more pressure. I love it.”Netflix began the night slowly, but in the end, the new format delivered, and Netflix found a better tone.Jul 14, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms