And, to the consternation of media watchers and many Yankee fans, tonight’s series opener will only be available on Apple TV+, not on the YES Network or anywhere else on the linear TV dial.

Unlike the norm for Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN+ or other sports streamers, Apple isn’t requiring viewers to pay to see the games, as they would to watch Ted Lasso or its other original programming.

The formerly Fox-run network — which now is controlled by the team along with Amazon, Sinclair Broadcast Group and private equity investors — held talks with Apple about a potential swap that would allow it to air tonight’s game.

Because of its commitment to growing a presence in live sports, and sensing the opportunity to use Judge as a lure for new viewers, Apple was not willing to budge.

One person with knowledge of the tangle among the media partners and MLB calls the situation “Apple’s worst nightmare,” as it has the potential to turn off would-be viewers in the kind of game with abundant appeal to casual fans.

(So nascent is the sports world’s migration into the cloud that the MLB Network actually was showing step-by-step instructions to viewers looking to sign up for Apple TV+.) Amazon’s financial investment in YES brought it 21 exclusive broadcasts over the course of this season, and there has been persistent grumbling about the level of consumer marketing the tech giant has put into that effort versus its all-out blitz for the NFL.

Unlike Amazon — whose Prime subscription plan, Fire TV devices and other touchpoints offer a number of ways to reach viewers — Apple has a single-digit share of the connected-TV market through its Apple TV devices, and Apple TV+ remains a smaller-scale player among the top subscription streaming outlets.

… I am calling on Apple and the MLB to reach a fair accommodation with the YES Network so that fans can watch what we all hope will be history made this evening.”