NBC Announces Broadcast Teams for 2026 MLB Wild Card Series
Major League Baseball released the TV schedule for the 2026 Wild Card Series, and NBC detailed the play-by-play and analyst crews for each game across its platforms.
Major League Baseball released the television schedule and scenario plan for the 2026 Wild Card Series on Sunday, and NBC outlined the broadcast teams for the opening games. Each game will feature a local analyst in the booth along with an "Inside the Pitch" analyst, while a reporter will provide on-field coverage.
The Philadelphia Phillies will face the Atlanta Braves at 2 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock, with Matt Vasgersian handling play-by-play, John Kruk and C.J. Nitkowski as analysts, Joey Votto as the "Inside the Pitch" analyst, and Ashley ShahAhmadi reporting.
The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros will meet at 5 p.m. on Peacock and NBCSN, featuring Tom McCarthy on play-by-play, Steve Stone and Geoff Blum as analysts, Adam Ottavino as the "Inside the Pitch" analyst, and Britney Eurton reporting.
The Boston Red Sox will play the New York Yankees at 8 p.m. on NBC and Peacock, with Jason Benetti on play-by-play, Lou Merloni and Joe Girardi as analysts, Anthony Rizzo as the "Inside the Pitch" analyst, and Caroline Pineda reporting.
The Chicago Cubs will host the San Diego Padres at 10 p.m. on Peacock and NBCSN, with Dave Flemming on play-by-play, Jim Deshaies and Mark Grant as analysts, Clayton Kershaw as the "Inside the Pitch" analyst, and John Fanta reporting.
"The energetic Vasgersian has called many postseason games in his career and has been a major presence on MLB Network for 17 years," the article notes.
"Krus brings a one-of-a-kind, unapologetically honest personality to the Phillies broadcast booth," the piece adds.
"Votto quickly became a star as an 'Inside the Pitch' analyst for NBC in his first year working television after a decorated MLB career," the description says.
ESPN Radio will provide nationwide audio coverage for all postseason rounds, with Dave O’Brien and Jessica Mendoza assigned to the Phillies-Braves game, Roxy Bernstein and Gregg Olson to the White Sox-Astros, and Michael Kay, Eduardo Perez and Tim Kurkjian to the Red Sox-Yankees.