Any hopes the Padres had of making a miraculous run to the postseason are quickly fading. For the Astros, dreams of going back-to-back and winning another World Series are alive and well. Standing in their way on Friday will be the potential National League Cy Young Award winner.
Even an ultra-disappointing season for San Diego might produce a major award winner, as Blake Snell has been utterly dominant over the last three months. While walks are a frequent issue for the former Rays ace, he’s been able to keep hits to a minimum and work out of trouble. That makes Friday night’s battle so intriguing.
The Astros just torched Rangers pitching in a three-game sweep, with Jose Altuve blasting five home runs in a span of two games. There might not be a hotter lineup than Houston’s right now, and Snell might not be able to work around the occasional walk so easily with this championship collection of bats finally healthy.
If Snell can lock down the Astros after their recent hot hitting, he figures to take a gigantic step toward his second Cy Young Award.
The Astros find themselves locked in a tight race for the AL West crown, so the Padres at least have a chance to play spoiler as an offseason of uncertainty approaches.
MORE: Watch ‘Friday Night Baseball’ tonight on Apple TV+ (free trial)
Here’s what you need to know to watch the Astros host the Padres on Friday night.
What channel is Padres vs. Astros on tonight?
- Live stream: Apple TV+
Friday night’s game between the Padres and Astros will be broadcast on Apple TV+, the exclusive home of “Friday Night Baseball” for the 2023 MLB season.
What time is Padres vs. Astros tonight?
- First pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. local time)
Padres vs. Astros is set to start at 8:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. CT) from Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Apple TV+ will have pregame coverage throughout the day with curated articles for each team and MLB. Fans can watch the “Countdown to First Pitch” pregame show 15 minutes prior to the start of the game.
Apple TV+ will broadcast another game on Friday night: Cardinals vs. Reds at 6:40 p.m. ET.
MORE: 17-year-old Padres prospect Ethan Salas continues meteoric rise
How to live stream Padres vs. Astros
- Live stream: Apple TV+
Padres vs. Astros will be available exclusively through Apple TV+, but there are still different ways to stream the game. Apple TV+ is available to stream on your phone, tablet, computer and smart TV, as well as streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV stick.
How much does Apple TV+ cost?
The service starts at $6.99 a month in the U.S. Yearly subscriptions begin at $69. In Canada, a monthly subscription is $8.99 CAD.
Last season, the service was free for those trying to watch “Friday Night Baseball,” but that is no longer an option. Apple does offer a seven-day free trial for new sign-ups, but you will need a subscription to watch MLB’s “Friday Night Baseball” games beyond that.
The service is also home to the hit show “Ted Lasso,” among other original series. It also operates MLS Season Pass, which allows fans to watch every MLS game without blackout restrictions, for an additional fee.
Apple TV+ ‘Friday Night Baseball’ 2023 schedule
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Friday, Sept. 8 | St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds | 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 8 | San Diego Padres vs. Houston Astros | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 15 | Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 15 | Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals | 8 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 22 | New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies | 7 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 22 | San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers | 10 p.m. |
