TBS blocks out times for NLDS games, guessing Phillies start times
Oct 15, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies fans wave their rally towels as Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) prepares to pitch during the sixth inning in game four of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The MLB’s way of rolling out game times really leaves you on the edge of your seat.
The official start times of the NLDS and ALDS games will not be announced until the conclusion of the Wild Card games, which could end either Wednesday or Thursday, with Game 1 of the AL and NLDS on Saturday.
However, a friend of the program, Phillies Tailgate, on X, spotted that TBS, which has the rights to the NL side of the postseason, has blocked out times on its network for its NLDS games. So, here are the possible time slots the Phils could be playing, with Games 1-2 at home, 3-4 on the road, and 5 back at Citizens Bank Park:
Game 1, Saturday, October 4: 1:00 p.m. ET and 7:00 p.m. ET
Game 2, Monday, October 6: 6:00 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3, Wednesday, October 8: 5:00 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 4, Thursday, October 9: 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
Game 5, Saturday, October 11: 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
The Phillies will play either the six-seeded Reds or the three-seeded Dodgers. No matter who they play, it looks like Game 1 will be at 7:00, as the Flyers announced Monday that their final preseason game on Saturday was moved from 3:00 to 12:30.
I think it is safe to guess that if the Phillies play the Dodgers, Game 3 will be in that 8:30 slot. Game 2 is tricky. 6:00 is early for the Dodgers, as the game would be starting at 4 in LA, but 9:30 is really late for first pitch in Philadelphia on a Monday. So, with that, I would assume 6:00 for Game 2.
Now, if they play the Reds, I believe Game 2 would undoubtedly be at 6:00 and Game 3 would kick off at 5:00.
Games 4 and 5 are subject to change, depending on how the other NLDS series fares between the top-seeded Brewers and either the Padres or Cubs.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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