Anthony Rizzo to Make NBC Booth Debut for Cubs-Reds in Chicago

Former Cubs first baseman takes a prime-time step in his broadcasting career

CHICAGO — Former Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo will make his debut as a game analyst in NBC’s broadcast booth Sunday when the network carries the Cubs’ matchup with the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday Night Baseball at Wrigley Field.

Rizzo, a centerpiece of the Cubs team that won the 2016 World Series, has begun building a second career in television this season as a field analyst for NBC’s Inside the Pitch feature. His move into the booth comes sooner and on a larger stage than initially planned after NBC shifted its schedule and put the Reds-Cubs game into prime time.

He will work alongside play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti and Reds analyst Jeff Brantley. Former Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto, who spent nearly a decade competing against Rizzo in the National League Central, will serve as the Inside the Pitch analyst during the telecast.

NBC’s original plan was for Rizzo to call two games as preparation for the network’s coverage of the Major League Baseball wild-card series. A scheduling conflict reduced that plan to one booth assignment. When NBC replaced an Astros-Mets game with Cubs-Reds about a month ago, Rizzo’s first full game analyst appearance became a national prime-time assignment.

Rizzo says preparation will center on questions and Cubs knowledge

Rizzo said he intends to lean on the production team and Benetti while adding the perspective of a player who remains closely connected to the Cubs clubhouse. He said his familiarity with the organization makes discussing the team feel natural, but added that television analysis requires deeper preparation on recent statistics, trends and player performance.

“Just ask questions,” Rizzo told the Sun-Times, describing his approach to the new assignment. He said his goal is to make sure relevant information is readily available so that his analysis is concise and useful during the flow of a live broadcast.

Rizzo praised Benetti, the former Chicago White Sox television voice, as the leader of the booth. He said Benetti helps ensure the broadcast remains focused on the game rather than becoming an extended conversation, a distinction that matters in a format where analysts often have only seconds to make a point.

Matt Borzello, NBC Sports’ senior producer and lead producer for Sunday Night Baseball, said Rizzo has impressed network colleagues with his work ethic, knowledge and willingness to seek information from players and coaches. Borzello cited a recent segment in which Rizzo analyzed Phillies slugger and former Cub Kyle Schwarber, explaining how Schwarber’s first plate appearance helped set up a home run in his next at-bat.

Transition from player to analyst brings a different challenge

While Rizzo’s baseball background gives him credibility, he said the challenge is delivering observations efficiently. Borzello said NBC has worked with him on getting to the most important point quickly, because the first line an analyst offers may be the only part viewers hear before game action resumes.

Rizzo said he has received coaching from longtime NBC executive Bruce Cornblatt and views the process much like his playing career: pursue improvement without expecting perfection every time. Borzello said the network sees broadcasting as more than a short-term project for Rizzo, who also has contributed to Netflix baseball coverage.

The Cubs-Reds broadcast will offer Rizzo and Votto an opportunity to revisit a familiar divisional rivalry from a new perspective. NBC’s immediate focus is Sunday’s game in Chicago, where Rizzo will make his first booth appearance as the network continues preparing its baseball coverage for the postseason.