Comcast SportsNet will have an unusual twist to its special coverage of spring training baseball this week: Both games will air commercial-free.
CSN won’t run any ads in between innings of the Cubs-Arizona game on Thursday and the White Sox-Cubs game on Friday. Instead, CSN will show special features for both teams:
White Sox
— An interview with manager Robin Ventura.
— An exclusive, combined interview with starting pitchers Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija.
— An inside look as outfielder Avisail Garcia trains with strength and conditioning coordinator Allen Thomas in the White Sox weight room, where cameras normally are not allowed.
— Leadoff hitter Adam Eaton takes CSN Chicago on yet another unforgettable fishing trip.
— CSN Chicago mic’s up six-time NL stolen base champ/current White Sox minor league baserunning instructor Vince Coleman during drills with a number of White Sox players.
— An interview with the Sox’s No. 1 draft pick (third overall) last year, pitcher Carlos Rodon.
— An interview with new power-hitting acquisition Adam LaRoche.
CUBS
— An interview with new Cubs manager Joe Maddon.
— An interview with first baseman Anthony Rizzo.
— New Cubs speedster Dexter Fowler provides a baserunning clinic on how he gains an edge on the opposition.
— Starter Kyle Hendricks puts on a pitching clinic that showcases the array of pitches the right-hander has in store for this season.
— Cubs starter Jason Hammel takes his family for a little spring training down time at the driving range.
— An interview with starting pitcher Jake Arrieta.
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— What’s the story behind the charity T-shirts Joe Maddon wears during his post-game press conferences? The Cubs skipper explains why he does it and how it helps change lives.
Schedule
Thursday, 8:30 p.m.: CUBS at Arizona, Scottsdale, Ariz. (commercial-free; replay at 12:30 a.m.)
Friday, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX vs. CUBS, Glendale, Ariz. (commercial-free; replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+; 12:30 a.m. on CSN)
Saturday, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX vs. Kansas City, Glendale, Ariz. (replay at 10p.m.: on CSN+; 12:30 a.m. on CSN)
Sunday, 3 p.m.: CUBS vs. San Diego, Mesa, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m.)
Monday, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX at San Diego, Peoria, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+; 12:30 a.m. on CSN)
Tuesday, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX vs. Colorado, Glendale, Ariz. (replay at 12:30 a.m.)
March 25, 9 p.m.: CUBS at Seattle, Peoria, Ariz. (replay at 12 a.m. on CSN+)
March 26, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX vs. LA Dodgers, Glendale, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+; 12:30 a.m. on CSN)
March 27, 3 p.m.: CUBS vs. WHITE SOX, Mesa, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+)
March 28, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX vs. Oakland, Glendale, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m.)
March 29, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX at Cleveland, Goodyear, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+; 12:30 a.m. on CSN)
March 30, 3 p.m.: CUBS vs. San Francisco, Mesa, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+)
March 31, 3 p.m.: WHITE SOX at LA Dodgers, Glendale, Ariz. (replay at 12:30 a.m.)
April 1, 3 p.m.: CUBS vs. Milwaukee, Mesa, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+)
April 2, 2 p.m.: WHITE SOX @ Arizona, Scottsdale, Ariz. (replay at 7 p.m. on CSN+)