This is the second Astros game of the season being broadcast exclusively on the streaming network
Friday night’s Astros-Rangers game is being televised exclusively on Apple TV+, which means you won’t be able to see it on trusty AT&T SportsNet Southwest or even the Rangers’ broadcast partner Bally Sports Southwest.
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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. 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 Cristian Javier in the matchup, which starts at 7:10 p.m. (CST). Apple TV+ also is airing the Cardinals-Pirates game, which starts at 5:35 p.m.
Apple TV+’s broadcast crew for Astros-Rangers will feature former Astros and Rangers 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 will play another Friday night game on the streaming network June 17 against the Chicago White Sox. They also were on Apple TV+ when they played the Angels in the first week of the season.
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.
