Cubs vs. – Sunday Night Baseball returns to NBC and Peacock with the Chicago Cubs facing the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sunday, May 31—kickoff at 7:20 p.m. ET after 20 minutes of pregame. Bob Costas hosts, Anthony Rizzo joins, and the broadcast features Jaso
Sunday night already feels different when the matchup is built for it—and this one arrives with the Cubs and Cardinals renewing their rivalry at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
The game is set to begin at 7:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 31, live on NBC and streaming simultaneously on Peacock. NBC Sports is making it a full primetime event: the broadcast includes 20 minutes of pregame leading into first pitch. with viewers getting a look at what’s coming and how the bigger MLB picture is shaping up.
Bob Costas will host the pregame show alongside Anthony Rizzo, who will also provide “Inside the Pitch” analysis during the game. On the call, Jason Benetti will be joined by MLB veterans Albert Pujols and Jim Deshaies for the Cubs vs. Cardinals matchup.
If you want more baseball before the main event fully locks in, Peacock has an earlier option. Viewers can tune in early for “MLB Sunday Leadoff,” the streamer’s weekly afternoon MLB series, featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles at Noon ET.
On the field. the NL Central race is tight enough that it doesn’t look like either team can settle into cruise control. The Cubs and Cardinals are virtually tied in wins and losses so far this season. Even when the schedule splits the advantage differently—Cardinals at home and Cubs on the road—it’s hard to find a clear edge. Both teams have been running in the middle of the pack in overall stats. and the Cardinals’ home field record sits right down the middle.
The sense of balance makes the pitching and lineup details feel louder.
St. Louis is starting left-hander Matthew Liberatore on Sunday. He leads the team in strikeouts, but he has also allowed double-digit home runs this season. That combination matters, because it frames the question hanging over the night: can Liberatore miss bats without paying for mistakes?
On the batting side, the Cardinals have a potential spark in Jordan Walker, who has more than 40 RBI through the season so far. If he starts driving runs the way that production suggests, it could be the difference between a close game and a lead that holds.
These Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts are set to last all summer, with this matchup marking the first of 13 consecutive weeks of Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts live on NBC and Peacock.
Cubs vs. Cardinals Sunday Night Baseball NBC Peacock Busch Stadium May 31 Bob Costas Anthony Rizzo Jason Benetti Albert Pujols Jim Deshaies Matthew Liberatore Jordan Walker
7:20 on NBC right? I swear these games always start late lol.
I don’t even care about the matchup, I just watch for Bob Costas. Also Peacock better not buffer during prime time, because cmon.
Wait so is it Cubs at home or Cardinals at home? Busch Stadium is in St Louis so that’s Cardinals right but then they said Cubs are on the road and I’m confused. If Jordan Walker has 40+ RBIs then he should’ve been the MVP already or whatever. Liberatore sounds like the guy who either strikes everyone out or gives up a homer every other inning. baseball is exhausting.
Isn’t Anthony Rizzo like still on the Cubs? How does he get to be on TV with the Cardinals game too, that just seems weird to me. Also 20 minutes of pregame?? like I’m supposed to pay attention before first pitch, no thanks. NBC Sunday night baseball is always trying to make it feel like a big event but it’s still just regular season games right?