Key Highlights
- The Philadelphia Phillies will stream their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Apple TV+.
- This is part of Apple TV’s fifth season with Major League Baseball (MLB).
- The team has seen a dramatic turnaround under new manager Don Mattingly, going 20-8 since the start of the season.
- Phillies ace Zack Wheeler returns from injury to face Justin Wrobleski in tonight’s game.
A New Streaming Reality for Phillies Fans
You might think this is new, but… it’s not. The Philadelphia Phillies are playing a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night, and you’ll need to log into Apple TV+ to watch it live.
It’s part of Apple TV’s exclusive deal with MLB for their “Friday Night Baseball” doubleheader, starting at 10:15 p.m. This isn’t just any deal; it’s the fifth season in a seven-year contract worth $595 million that runs through the 2028 season.
Apple TV’s Perks and Pricing
The cost has nearly doubled from $6.99 to $12.99 per month, though they’re offering a free one-month trial right now. Despite the annoyance of streaming, Apple TV does offer some perks. You can switch the audio feed over to 94.1 WIP with Scott Franzke and Kevin Stocker’s call perfectly synched with the crystal-clear footage.
“For us, it’s business as usual,” says Franzke. “There might be a few extra people listening or consuming the game that way, but for us it doesn’t really change much.”
The Phillies’ Dramatic Turnaround
It’s about more than just streaming. The Phillies have undergone a radical transformation this season under new manager Don Mattingly. They’re 20-8 and have won all but two series, clawing their way back into contention.
Franzke notes that the vibe hasn’t changed much from the previous manager Rob Thomson. “In a lot of respects, they’re very similar people.
Similar age, similar backgrounds. They both came out of the Yankees from the same managerial style of Joe Torre…”
Key Players and Schedules
Zack Wheeler (4-0, 1.67 ERA), who missed the first month of the season after having surgery to remove a blood clot from his throwing shoulder, is starting tonight against Justin Wrobleski (6-2, 3.07 ERA). There’s also Cristopher Sánchez on a historic tear in his past five starts.
The Phillies have a busy schedule with multiple games against various teams throughout June and early July. They’ll be back on NBC Sports Philadelphia late Saturday night, but this Friday’s game is exclusive to Apple TV+.
Conclusion
If you want to catch the action, it’s all about Apple TV+. For now, anyway. The Phillies will likely appear in a few more Friday Night Baseball games following the All-Star break, with Apple announcing its second-half schedule sometime in June.
