Phillies expand spring training TV coverage as camp opens
The phillies will air more spring training games than ever, with NBC Sports Philadelphia planning 17 broadcasts as the Grapefruit League schedule opens Saturday afternoon in Dunedin, Fla., setting up a busy few weeks that include an exhibition against Team Canada on March 4 and players leaving early for the World Baseball Classic on March 5 in Tokyo.
Phillies spring slate: more TV, same camp storylines
The bulk of the 30-game Grapefruit League schedule will be on local TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry 17 games — nine on the main channel and eight on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ — up from 12 last year. MLB Network will broadcast six games, though only two will be available in the Philly TV market because of blackout rules. will not air any Phillies spring training games; that network is showing four spring contests on its main channel and six more on its Unlimited service.
Who’s in the booth and on the air
Tom McCarthy returns for his 19th season as the TV play-by-play voice and will be joined by Rubén Amaro Jr., Ben Davis and John Kruk in the booth. On radio, Scott Franzke begins his 21st season calling games on 94. 1 WIP, with a rotation of analysts that includes Larry Anderson and Kevin Stocker; the station will carry 10 weekend games. Former pitcher Cole Hamels will again appear in the broadcast booth, calling a few spring training games beginning in the middle of March after working nine regular-season telecasts last year.
Camp battles and roster notes to watch in Florida
Camps open with some familiar questions: top pitching prospect Andrew Painter will be watched closely as a rotation spot is available, and Aidan Miller, listed as the No. 23 prospect in baseball, is expected to start the season in Triple-A while getting some work at third base during spring training. New arrival Adolis García will take on the outfield role left by Nick Castellanos, and 11 players, including Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, will depart camp early to play in the World Baseball Classic.
The Grapefruit League slate begins with a Saturday afternoon game in Dunedin against the Toronto Blue Jays and continues with the club’s Clearwater debut on Sunday at BayCare Ballpark, the team’s Spring home since 2004. An exhibition against Team Canada on March 4 is scheduled as a final tuneup before the March 5 start of the World Baseball Classic in Tokyo.
Broadcast coverage and lineup decisions will unfold across the first weeks of camp; the next confirmed events are the Saturday opener in Dunedin, the Sunday game at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, and the March 4 exhibition against Team Canada.
