You’re going to need an Apple ID to watch Houston’s second game of the season
It’s only the second game of the season, but you’re already going to have to jump through some minor hoops to watch the Astros play the Angels on Friday night. The game is being televised exclusively on Apple TV+, which means you won’t be able to see it on trusty AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
Apple TV+ is a subscription streaming service, but no subscription is necessary to watch the game; you just need to download the Apple TV+ app and have an Apple ID. To access the game, you can either launch the Apple TV+ app on your device – iPhone, iPad, Mac, smart TV, video gaming system or at tv.apple.com – or use the MLB.TV app and tap on Apple TV+ Game, which will redirect you to the game. You can also log in to tv.apple.com and create an Apple ID to watch the game there. Apple breaks down all the ways you can watch its service here.
The Astros will start Jake Odorizzi in the matchup, which starts at 8:38 p.m. (CST). Apple TV+ also is airing Max Scherzer’s Mets debut when he takes on his old Nationals team at 6:05 p.m. Friday.
Apple TV+’s broadcast crew for Astros-Angels will feature former Astros outfielder Hunter Pence serving as an analyst along with former ESPN personality Katie Nolan. MLB Network’s Stephen Nelson will handle the play-by-play.
Apple TV+ struck a deal with Major League Baseball to air games every Friday night. So far, they’ve announced their Friday Night Baseball schedule for just the first three months of the season. The Astros also will be featured in home games against the Texas Rangers on May 20 and the Chicago White Sox on June 17. The Astros also will have an Aug. 7 game in Cleveland streaming exclusively on NBC’s Peacock.
The Astros had three games last season air exclusively on YouTube.
