Apple today announced that its weekly “Friday Night Baseball” MLB doubleheader will return in April. Unfortunately, while last season’s games were free to all, an Apple TV+ subscription will be required this season, with U.S. pricing set at $6.99 per month or $69 per year.
Fans in 60 countries and regions (up from 13 last season) can enjoy two matchups per week over 25 weeks with no local broadcast restrictions. The 2023 slate will begin on Friday, April 7, with the Texas Rangers at the Chicago Cubs for the inaugural “Friday Night Baseball” daytime game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, and the San Diego Padres at the Atlanta Braves at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Apple and MLB also announced the “Friday Night Baseball” schedule for the first half of the season, through June 30.
“We can’t wait for ‘Friday Night Baseball’ to start up again, and we’re excited for fans to experience everything new we’re bringing this season,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “Apple TV+ truly has something for everyone, from two live baseball games every Friday night, to an incredible slate of award-winning original films and series — there’s never been a better time to sign up.”
“Friday Night Baseball” games will also be available on DirecTV in the U.S., making it available to over 300,000 restaurants, bars, hotel lounges, retail stores, and other venues throughout the regular season on existing satellite TV equipment, says Apple.
In-booth broadcast talent includes Wayne Randazzo (play-by-play), Dontrelle Willis (analyst), Heidi Watney (sideline reporter), Alex Faust (play-by-play), Ryan Spilborghs (analyst), and Tricia Whitaker (sideline reporter). Game assignments for announcers will be shared on a weekly basis.
Live pre- and postgame coverage will again be hosted by Lauren Gardner, along with Siera Santos. Former MLB players Xavier Scruggs and Matt Joyce will serve as analysts alongside baseball journalist Russell Dorsey. Brian Gorman and Dale Scott — both former MLB umpires — will join to break down MLB’s new rules for the season.
Apple TV+ 2023 “Friday Night Baseball” Schedule
Friday, April 7
Texas Rangers at Chicago Cubs
2 p.m. ETSan Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves
7 p.m. ETFriday, April 14
San Francisco Giants at Detroit Tigers
6:30 p.m. ETLos Angeles Angels at Boston Red Sox
7 p.m. ETFriday, April 21
Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
7 p.m. ETHouston Astros at Atlanta Braves
7 p.m. ETFriday, April 28
Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros
8 p.m. ETSt. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers
10 p.m. ETFriday, May 5
Chicago White Sox at Cincinnati Reds
6:30 p.m. ETMinnesota Twins at Cleveland Guardians
7 p.m. ETFriday, May 12
Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers
8 p.m. ETChicago Cubs at Minnesota Twins
8 p.m. ETFriday, May 19
Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays
7 p.m. ETSeattle Mariners at Atlanta Braves
7 p.m. ETFriday, May 26
San Diego Padres at New York Yankees
7 p.m. ETChicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
6:30 p.m. ETFriday, June 2
Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds
5 p.m. ETCleveland Guardians at Minnesota Twins
8 p.m. ETFriday, June 9
Kansas City Royals at Baltimore Orioles
7 p.m. ETSeattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels
9:30 p.m. ETFriday, June 16
Pittsburgh Pirates at Milwaukee Brewers
8 p.m. ETChicago White Sox at Seattle Mariners
10 p.m. ETFriday, June 23
Pittsburgh Pirates at Miami Marlins
6:30 p.m. ETNew York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
7 p.m. ETFriday, June 30
Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates
7 p.m. ETArizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels
9:30 p.m. ET
For more “Friday Night Baseball” programming information, read the Apple press release.
