The Toronto Blue Jays‘ next game in their march to the post-season will air on Sportsnet.
As the team continues to look for its first ticket to the playoffs in two years on Friday, Sportsnet struck a deal with Apple TV to simulcast the broadcast of a game against the Kansas City Royals on Rogers airwaves.
Sportsnet will produce Blue Jays Central pre-game at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT as well as post-game while carrying the Apple TV+ production of the game broadcast.
“This is a really exciting time of year for Blue Jays fans, and we wanted to try and find a way for Canadians to watch Friday’s game on Sportsnet, especially at this pivotal moment of the season. In working with the Blue Jays, Major League Baseball and Apple TV, glad we found a way,” a Rogers spokesperson said.
When it became apparent that the Blue Jays’ post-season spot could be locked up on the Friday Apple TV+ broadcast, both Sportsnet and the team approached MLB to engage the streamer on a potential deal.
The league then facilitated an agreement, which will also see Apple TV take over exclusive broadcast rights of next Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, thanks to the Blue Jays’ 4-0 loss to the Rays on Thursday, combined with the Cleveland Guardians’ 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers, the earliest Toronto can clinch a playoff spot is now Saturday.
The Blue Jays’ magic number for a post-season berth remains three.