Wainwright to join NLDS broadcast on FS1

October 6th, 2020

will put on a headset and try out the broadcasting world this week as part of the Marlins-Braves National League Division Series on FOX Sports 1.

FOX Sports announced that the Cardinals veteran will join the FS1 booth as an analyst for Game 1 at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT on Tuesday. He’ll join a broadcast group that includes A.J. Pierzynski and play-by-play broadcaster Adam Amin.

It’s not unusual for an active player to take part in postseason broadcasts -- Pierzynski was part of the FOX postseason broadcasts from 2011-13 and in ’15 while he was still an active player -- but it will be Wainwright’s first formal national broadcast appearance. He has long been a go-to in-game interview for broadcasters throughout his career, and he joined FOX Sports Midwest via Zoom during a regular-season game in which he wasn’t pitching this year.

Wainwright has pitched in eight postseasons, including this year in the NL Wild Card Series. The Cardinals were eliminated Friday with a Game 3 loss to the Padres.

The end of the Cardinals’ season brought up the inevitable questions about Wainwright’s future. The 39-year-old was St. Louis’ most reliable starter, posting a 3.15 ERA across 10 starts and 65 2/3 innings. He will officially be a free agent in November after signing a second consecutive incentive-laden, one-year contract with the Cardinals last offseason. When asked if he would like to return to baseball in 2021, Wainwright has deferred comment, saying he would make that decision during the offseason.

He certainly didn’t pitch like 2020 was his last year, and he has proven invaluable to the Cardinals' clubhouse with insight over his long career. Now fans tuning into Tuesday’s NLDS could get a peek into that insight -- and Wainwright could see if he enjoys the view from the booth.