How to watch the MLB on YouTube TV

sports fans cheering

YouTube TV — Google’s over-the-top (OTT) cable-alternative service — streams live MLB games directly to your TV or smart device without the headache of cable contracts or bulky satellite equipment. You can watch every game televised on ESPN, FOX, FS1, MLB Network, and TBS as you would with traditional TV but through your Wi-Fi connection. 

But it can sometimes be easier said than done. So, if you’re curious about how to watch Live MLB on YouTube TV, you’re in the right ballpark. Find out more below. 

YouTube TV plans and sports channels compared 

 DIRECTV STREAMFuboHulu + Live TVSling TVYouTube TV
ESPN✔✔✔✔✔
FOX✔✔✔✔✔
FOX Sports 1 (FS1)✔✔✔✔✔
MLB Network ✔✔ ✔✔
TBS✔ ✔✔✔✔

Can I stream every MLB game on YouTube TV? 

Nationally televised broadcasts vs. local market availability 

Sports broadcasting rights are shared between national networks and local channel affiliates across markets all over the US. When it comes to sports in general, your local collegiate and professional teams often appear on regional sports networks (RSNs) like SportsNet Pittsburgh, Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports South, among others. As you can probably see, RSNs are specific to where you live and provide direct access to local teams. However, sometimes your sporting coverage is subject to local blackouts. So, the occasional game will only be available on national networks like ESPN, FS1, or NBC Sports Network — depending on the sport. 

You can find out how to watch each MLB team here

In the case of baseball, you’ll still have access to a lot of games even if you don’t have access to every local channel. It is televised across several national networks like ESPN, FOX, FS1, MLB Network, and TBS. Fortunately, YouTube TV is one of the few OTT cable-alternative streaming services that includes most of the channels you need to tune in and stream baseball on the national stage. Of the five aforementioned national networks, YouTube TV does not carry MLB Network.

By comparison, Sling TV’s Orange + Blue plan carries ESPN, FOX, FS1, and TBS, but you’ll need to pay an extra monthly fee for MLB Network as it is part of the Sports add-on. There’s also Fubo, a versatile OTT service renowned for its sports coverage. However, even Fubo is missing TBS and requires an additional monthly fee or a higher package for MLB Network. 

DIRECTV STREAM, and Hulu + Live TV both offer ESPN, FOX, FS1, TBS, and MLB Network in their lineups.

Finding out whether a streaming service has your RSNs can prove to be a tricky business. That’s because availability is determined by things like your market area or ongoing negotiations between providers. Sinclair Broadcast Group recently acquired local FOX affiliates from the Walt Disney Company, which has sparked negotiations with several OTT services.

YouTube TV is one of the cable-alternatives that decided to drop Bally Sports RSNs in October 2020. But YouTube TV isn’t alone. Hulu + Live TV also recently dropped numerous Bally Sports RSNs and YES Network.

YouTube TV offers a generous portion of local channels that are included with its plan. To see what channels you’d get, YouTube TV has a useful tool on its website. After you navigate to YouTube TV’s website, there’s a field where you can enter your zip code. For example, when I type in Los Angeles zip code “91401,” the local channels available are ABC 7, CBS 2, FOX 11, KCAL 9, KCET, My13, NBC 4, Telemundo 52, and The CW. Visit YouTube TV’s website to see what local channels you’ll receive. 

Streaming your favorite MLB teams 

YouTube TV provides you with all the national networks and most local channels (RSNs) that you’ll need to watch MLB action. But, does that mean you can watch every team with a YouTube TV subscription? Well, not exactly. There are some MLB teams that are only available through certain TV providers, like DIRECTV STREAM. In fact, AT&T TV NOW provides the most complete way to watch baseball. Let’s take a look at the availability of what teams you can and cannot stream with YouTube TV. 

Out of the 30 MLB teams, YouTube TV gives direct access to about half. The teams that you can expect with YouTube TV include Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays. So, if your team isn’t one of these, then you may want to consider another service. 

If you live in an area with Bally Sports RSNs, then DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo would be your best choice to watch in-market games.

For more details on in-market games find out how to watch each MLB team here

The final cut 

YouTube TV provides a near-perfect solution for streaming sports across the spectrum. Watch every MLB game televised on ESPN, FOX, FS1, MLB Network, and TBS on your mobile device while out and about or when at home hosting the game with friends.

But did you know that YouTube TV also taps into local news channels and RSNs in your area? When you visit YouTube TV’s website, type your zip code in the field to find out the coverage in your area. 

There are other ways to access local news and sports in your region, even without a TV service. A digital antenna like HDHomeRun not only picks up live local channels in high-definition but also lets you watch on multiple devices simultaneously. 

When you subscribe to YouTube TV today, you’ll get your first seven days free. That means you can immediately start watching the game to see if it meets your standards without paying a cent. 

How to Watch Your Favorite MLB Team on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV & More

You don’t need an expensive cable package to keep up with your favorite MLB team this season. Find your team in the list below for more information about how to stream all of their games on live TV streaming services, including DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.

AL East

AL Central

AL West

NL East

NL Central

NL West

National Games

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