Perhaps because most of its viewership figures to be made up of hardcore baseball fans, MLB Network can get away with featuring a nationally televised Orioles/Royals game.
MLB Network unveiled its Thursday Night Baseball schedule for the first seven weeks of the upcoming season on Wednesday, featuring eight games and appearances by sixteen different teams.
The network’s first game of the season is set for April 9, when the Brewers take on the Giants. Matt Vasgersian will call the game alongside Joe Magrane. The next week, MLB Network will air a doubleheader — Indians/Yankees at 1 PM, with Bob Costas, Harold Reynolds and Jim Kaat on the call, and Blue Jays/Twins at 8, with Victor Rojas and Dan Plesac.
Costas will return to the mic for another New York game on May 7, when the Mets host the Phillies. Al Leiter will serve as the analyst for that game.
The network’s last scheduled game is Cubs/Cardinals on May 21. Future games will be announced later in the season.
