Friday’s Phillies-Mets game won’t be on NBC Sports Philadelphia
For the second time this season, the Phillies game will stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
The Phillies begin a three-game series against the New York Mets Friday at Citizens Bank Park, but you won’t be able to watch it on NBC Sports Philadelphia or anywhere else on television.
For the second time this season, the Phillies are streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ as part of the tech giant’s Friday Night Baseball lineup, which is in its second year featuring two exclusive games each week.
Calling the Phillies game at 6:30 p.m. will be Wayne Randazzo, the TV voice of the Los Angeles Angels and a former Mets radio announcer, who is also the cousin of MLB umpire Tony Randazzo. Broadcasting alongside Randazzo will be Yonder Alonso, an MLB Network analyst who spent 10 years in the league, mostly at first base with the San Diego Padres. Heidi Watney — the inspiration for Matt Damon’s character’s name in The Martian — will report from Citizens Bank Park.
Apple TV+ will also have former MLB umpires Brian Gorman and Dale Scott on hand to break down rules and reviews.
The alternative is listening to the game on 94.1 WIP, with Scott Franzke and Larry Anderson on the call. You can also switch to WIP’s audio while streaming tonight’s game on Apple TV+, a cool new addition for broadcasts this season.
The Phillies aren’t scheduled to appear on streaming platforms again until Sept. 2, when they’ll take on the Milwaukee Brewers on NBC’s Peacock.
Can I stream the Phillies on AppleTV+ for free?
Normally, a subscription to Apple TV+ runs $6.99 a month, but they’re offering a free two-month trial that’s good for both new and existing customers.
Outside of paying, it’s as simple as downloading the Apple TV+ app and logging in on your streaming device of choice, which includes all Apple products, Roku, and most smart televisions. There is no official app for Android users, though you can login to the Apple TV website on the Chrome or Firefox browser.
If you don’t want to set up an Apple TV+ account, you might find the game at bars and restaurants around Philadelphia, thanks to Apple’s distribution deal with DirecTV. Just call ahead to make sure.
In addition to the Phillies-Mets game, Apple TV+ is also offering pre- and postgame coverage hosted by Lauren Gardner alongside analysts Anthony Recker and Russell Dorsey. Betting analyst Claudia Bellofatto will also join the show.
In other Phillies news …
Bryce Harper is suffering from a power outage. It’s been nearly a month since the Phillies slugger has hit a home run, and has just four extra-base hits in his last 21 games.
The Phillies moved to Connie Mack Stadium 85 years ago. A South Carolina ballpark still uses the seats.
Scott Trcka, the scout who signed Scott Rolen, is suing the Phillies and MLB for age discrimination. Trcka is one of 17 scouts who allege the league used analytics and the pandemic as “pretext for coordinated and systemic discrimination based on age.”
The team traded outfielder Dalton Guthrie to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. Guthrie, who was taken in the sixth round by the Phillies in the 2017 MLB draft, was designated for assignment earlier this week.
Phillies radio announcer Larry Anderson wasn’t thrilled by Marcell Ozuna celebration during his 10-inning, two-run homer in Thursday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves.