A Return to Sunday Night Baseball
NBC and its streaming partner Peacock are gearing up for a marquee stretch of baseball coverage, enlisting two former Cincinnati Reds standouts to anchor their Sunday night lineup.
Jeff Brantley, who starred as a reliever for the Reds from 1994 to 1997 and led the club in saves in 1996, brings more than a decade of broadcast experience to the booth. After debuting on ESPN in 2002, he joined the Reds’ broadcast team in 2007 and was recently inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, earning the 2026 Ohio Sportscaster of the Year honor.
Joining Brantley is Joey Votto, the six‑time All‑Star and 2010 MVP whose career has been defined by a blend of power, patience and precision. Votto will contribute from the batter’s box, offering a unique perspective that complements Anthony Rizzo’s analysis. Rizzo, a 2016 World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs, adds a champion’s insight alongside Brantley.
The trio will be paired with play‑by‑play voice Jason Benetti for the Reds‑Cubs matchup on August 30, and the group will also cover the Milwaukee‑Baltimore game on September 20 across Peacock and NBCSN. Their reach will extend into the postseason, where Votto, Rizzo and Clayton Kershaw are slated to serve as pregame analysts for NBC’s MLB Wild Card broadcasts.
The upcoming schedule not only highlights the deep talent pool of former players turned commentators but also underscores a broader trend of former athletes shaping how baseball is presented to a national audience. Fans can expect a blend of insider knowledge, statistical depth and the personal anecdotes that only those who have stood on the mound or at the plate can provide.