Local Tampa Bay Rays fans can stream all games blackout-free by subscribing to Rays.TV, which can be accessed through DIRECTV on channel 652 (streaming, satellite).
Out-of-market fans can also access Rays games via an MLB.TV account on channel 652. Standard MLB.TV subscribers living in the Rays’ home territory will still encounter local blackouts and will need a separate Rays.TV subscription for in-market access.
It was an unorthodox 2025 for the Tampa Bay Rays. For one, they weren’t playing in their home stadium, Tropicana Field, since it was being repaired after sustaining damage in Hurricane Milton. Instead, they played their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, a nearby spring training complex. It was also unusual in that the Rays missed the playoffs for the second year in a row and posted their second straight losing season for the first time in a decade.
The new season will find them back in the friendly confines of Tropicana Field and Tampa Bay will once again be looking to make waves in the American League. Of course, they still need to claw out of their own division.
Catch every game of the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays season as they compete for a playoff berth and another AL East title.
Check out the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays TV Schedule right here to make sure you never miss a single steal, homerun or seventh inning stretch of the upcoming season.
Tampa Bay Rays Team Info:
Founding Season: 1998
Division: American League East
Home Ballpark: Tropicana Field
World Series Titles: 0 (2 appearances)
2025 Finish: Did not make the postseason
If you love watching MLB and aren’t a DIRECTV customer yet, now’s the time to change that.
2026 Tampa Bay Rays TV Schedule
Tampa Bay opens their season in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals and get their first taste of AL East action when they host the Yankees in mid-April.
Every game against their division rivals will be one to watch. In the month of May, they have 19 games against division opponents.
Here’s a look at the first 2 months of play for the Rays. Games without national networks listed are typically available to watch on the team’s RSN, local streaming channel or MLB.tv team channel.
Check out the full Tampa Bay Rays Game Schedule right here!
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Information |
| Thu, 3/26 | at St. Louis Cardinals | 4:15 p.m. | |
| Sat, 3/28 | at St. Louis Cardinals | 2:15 p.m. | |
| Sun, 3/29 | at St. Louis Cardinals | 2:15 p.m. | |
| Mon, 3/30 | at Milwaukee Brewers | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 3/31 | at Milwaukee Brewers | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/1 | at Milwaukee Brewers | 1:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/3 | at Minnesota Twins | 4:10 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/4 | at Minnesota Twins | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 4/5 | at Minnesota Twins | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Mon, 4/6 | vs Chicago Cubs | 4:10 p.m. | FS1 |
| Tue, 4/7 | vs Chicago Cubs | 6:40 p.m. | TBS |
| Wed, 4/8 | vs Chicago Cubs | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/10 | vs New York Yankees | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/11 | vs New York Yankees | 6:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 4/12 | vs New York Yankees | 1:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 4/14 | at Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/15 | at Chicago White Sox | 7:40 p.m. | |
| Thu, 4/16 | at Chicago White Sox | 2:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/17 | at Pittsburgh Pirates | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/18 | at Pittsburgh Pirates | 4:05 p.m. | |
| Sun, 4/19 | at Pittsburgh Pirates | 1:35 p.m. | |
| Mon, 4/20 | vs Cincinnati Reds | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 4/21 | vs Cincinnati Reds | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/22 | vs Cincinnati Reds | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 4/24 | vs Minnesota Twins | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sat, 4/25 | vs Minnesota Twins | 4:10 p.m. | FS1 |
| Sun, 4/26 | vs Minnesota Twins | 1:40 p.m. | |
| Mon, 4/27 | at Cleveland Guardians | 6:10 p.m. | |
| Tue, 4/28 | at Cleveland Guardians | 6:10 p.m. | |
| Wed, 4/29 | at Cleveland Guardians | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/1 | vs San Francisco Giants | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/2 | vs San Francisco Giants | 6:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 5/3 | vs San Francisco Giants | 1:40 p.m. | Peacock |
| Mon, 5/4 | vs Toronto Blue Jays | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Tue, 5/5 | vs Toronto Blue Jays | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Wed, 5/6 | vs Toronto Blue Jays | 1:10 p.m. | |
| Thu, 5/7 | at Boston Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Fri, 5/8 | at Boston Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. | |
| Sat, 5/9 | at Boston Red Sox | 4:10 p.m. | |
| Sun, 5/10 | at Boston Red Sox | 1:35 p.m. | |
| Mon, 5/11 | at Toronto Blue Jays | 7:07 p.m. | |
| Tue, 5/12 | at Toronto Blue Jays | 7:07 p.m. | |
| Wed, 5/13 | at Toronto Blue Jays | 7:07 p.m. |
Rays not playing today? Find another matchup on the full MLB schedule, which includes MLB players, MLB teams and MLB standings to keep your head in the game.
How Did the Tampa Bay Rays Do in 2025?
The Tampa Bay Rays finished 77-85, which was fourth in the American League East. Tampa Bay missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season after punching their ticket in five straight from 2019 to 2023. In an odd year, they also played all their home games at George Steinbrenner Field, as Tropicana Field was under repair.
As a team, the Rays were right down the middle in runs scored and OPS. Their ERA was above average, but they were among the league’s best in walks and hits per innings pitched. They also had one of the highest strikeout-to-walk ratios in baseball.
So even in a disappointing season, the Rays were still doing Rays things, winning at the margins. And if luck can roll their way in 2026, they certainly have the talent to compete.
Last season was the breakout party for 21-year-old third baseman Junior Caminero. Though not technically his rookie season, Caminero was named an All-Star as he belted 45 home runs to go along with 28 doubles and 110 runs batted in. All of which were top 10 in baseball. He is the engine of this Rays lineup, and the sky is the limit for this perennial MVP candidate.
First baseman Jonathan Aranda was a surprise breakout in his first full season in the majors. Aranda made the All Star game, batting .316 with a .393 on-base percentage. He looks to be another diamond in the rough for this Rays organization.
Yandy Diaz was once again a mark of consistency. He hit .280 or better for the fourth straight season, setting a new career high in home runs, RBIs and hits in a season. He also finished top 20 in AL MVP voting for the third time in his career. After a down year in 2024 by his standards, Diaz responded in a major way and will once again play a pivotal role in this Rays lineup.
Chandler Simpson appeared in just 109 games, but the 24-year-old speedster collected 122 hits and 44 stolen bases in those 109 games. He doesn’t hit for much power, but his speed always makes him a threat to collect extra bases. If he can get more consistent hard contact, he will be one of the most electric players in the game.
Drew Rasmussen led this Tampa Bay Rays pitching staff. He went 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA, being named an all-star and finishing top 10 in AL Cy Young voting. After two injury-shortened seasons in 2023 and 2024, Rasmussen set a career high with 31 starts and 150 innings pitched. He will be looked to deliver a similar performance in 2026.
Edwin Uceta went 10-3 in relief with a 3.79 ERA. He struck out 103 in just 76 innings for a ridiculous 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings. If he can bring down his walks, he could emerge as one of the top relievers in the American League.
How to Watch the Tampa Bay Rays in 2026
If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, there are plenty of ways to catch every game on the Tampa Bay Rays schedule on DIRECTV. Below are a few places where you can watch the Rays baseball games during the 2026 MLB season.
- MLB Tampa Bay Rays (Coming soon)
- FOX SPORTS 1 – DIRECTV Channel 219
- MLB NETWORK® – DIRECTV Channel 213
- ESPN 2 –DIRECTV Channel 209
- FOX – Find local channel number here
- ABC – Find local channel number here
- NBC – Find your local NBC channel
- MLB EXTRA INNINGS®
- TBS – DIRECTV Channel 247
Best Tampa Bay Rays in 2026
Junior Caminero
The 21-year-old first baseman broke out in his first full season in the majors, hitting 45 home runs, 28 doubles and driving in 110 runs. He made the all-star team, finished ninth in the AL MVP voting and has all the makings of a budding superstar. He has the potential to anchor this Rays lineup for years to come.
Jonathan Aranda
Aranda was another Rays player that broke out in 2025. He appeared in just 106 games, but it was enough to earn him an All-Star appearance. He missed much of the last two months of the season, but Aranda put together an all-star campaign, hitting .316 with 14 homers and 22 doubles. He got on base at a .393 clip and looks to be another super utility player for the Rays, who are famous for finding these types of players.
Chandler Simpson
Simpson went viral last spring as fans saw the first displays of his blazing speed. In 109 games in the big leagues, Simpson batted .295 with a .326 on-base percentage, 122 hits and 44 stolen bases. Hiis speed makes him one of the most electrifying players in Major League Baseball.
Yandy Diaz
Diaz has become Mr. Reliable for the Rays. He’s hit .280 or better in four straight seasons. In 2025, Diaz put together his fourth season hitting .300 or better. He set a new career high with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs and provides solid all-around contribution in the middle of this Rays lineup.
Drew Rasmussen
Rasmussen went 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA in his first full season of play in two years. He earned an all-star appearance and will get the opening day start for the Rays in 2026. If he’s able to string together another solid year, a Rays pitching staff on the rebound could help pave the way to a playoff appearance.
Shane McClanahan
McClanahan has missed two straight seasons due to injury, but at one point in 2023 he was 11-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 115 innings. If he is able to return to his ace-level status, he instantly ups the threat level for this Rays team in the division. McClanahan was a two-time all-star in 2022 and 2023. If he can return to that form, he ups the threat level for this Rays team in 2026.
Tampa Bay Rays Top Prospects in 2026
Carson Williams
He might not get the start at the beginning of the year, but Williams offers Gold Glove defense at shortstop and 20-20 power at the plate. If the 22-year-old can cut down on his swing and miss rate, he could very well find himself on the big league roster in 2026 as the Rays gun for a playoff spot.
Theo Gillen
Likely still a few years away, Gillen has battled knee injuries since being drafted in the first round back in 2024. When he has played, he’s been one of the most productive hitters. He was one of the more productive hitters in Single-A with a .267 batting average and 36 steals in 73 games.
Brody Hopkins
Hopkins was chosen for the Futures Game back in 2024 after posting a 2.72 ERA across 25 games started in 2025. He struck out 141 in 116 innings. In two seasons in the minors, he has allowed just a .203 batting average against. Hopkins might not break camp with the big league roster, but he certainly has the talent to contribute at the big league level should they need him this season.
Tampa Bay Rays Rivalries to Watch
Even though the Rays have had a shorter history than some of their other counterparts in the AL East, they have still accrued a fair number of rivals. Here are some of their biggest to watch for in 2026.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees
Though the Rays have been around for about 100 fewer seasons, the race for the AL East will make rivals of anyone. Throughout the 2010s, the Rays and Yankees were often competing for the division title or advancing in the postseason.
What makes this rivalry so interesting is the massive disparity in payrolls. The Yankees are renowned for having one of the largest payrolls in baseball year after year, while the Rays have developed a reputation as being one of the most frugal teams in baseball. Once again, these two teams will be battling it out for a spot in the postseason.
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Fri, 4/10 | vs New York Yankees | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sat, 4/11 | vs New York Yankees | 6:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 4/12 | vs New York Yankees | 1:40 p.m. |
| Fri, 5/22 | at New York Yankees | 7:05 p.m. |
| Sat, 5/23 | at New York Yankees | 1:35 p.m. |
| Sun, 5/24 | at New York Yankees | 1:35 p.m. |
| Mon, 7/6 | vs New York Yankees | 6:40 p.m. |
| Tue, 7/7 | vs New York Yankees | 6:40 p.m. |
| Wed, 7/8 | vs New York Yankees | 6:40 p.m. |
| Thu, 7/9 | vs New York Yankees | 1:10 p.m. |
| Tue, 9/22 | at New York Yankees | 7:05 p.m. |
| Wed, 9/23 | at New York Yankees | 7:05 p.m. |
| Thu, 9/24 | at New York Yankees | 7:05 p.m. |
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry takes the crown as the best AL East rivalry, but coming in at number two is the Rays and the Red Sox. From 2008 to 2021, the two teams won the AL East division seven times, meeting frequently in the postseason. Most notably in the 2008 ALCS, where the Rays earned their first World Series berth.
The Red Sox have gotten the better of the Rays in the last two Wild Card series, but the Rays have gotten the better of the Red Sox thus far this decade. They will look to build on that lead in 2026.
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Thu, 5/7 | at Boston Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Fri, 5/8 | at Boston Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sat, 5/9 | at Boston Red Sox | 4:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 5/10 | at Boston Red Sox | 1:35 p.m. |
| Mon, 6/8 | vs Boston Red Sox | 6:40 p.m. |
| Tue, 6/9 | vs Boston Red Sox | 6:40 p.m. |
| Wed, 6/10 | vs Boston Red Sox | 1:10 p.m. |
| Fri, 7/17 | at Boston Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sat, 7/18 | at Boston Red Sox | 4:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 7/19 | at Boston Red Sox | 1:35 p.m. |
| Fri, 9/18 | vs Boston Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Sat, 9/19 | vs Boston Red Sox | 4:10 p.m. |
| Sun, 9/20 | vs Boston Red Sox | 1:40 p.m. |
Watch MLB Games Live with DIRECTV
Did you know DIRECTV has the most MLB games available for fans to watch? That’s right. In fact, DIRECTV has more in-market Regional Sports Networks than DISH, YouTube TV & Hulu+ Live combined. What’s not to like?
Read more about how DIRECTV is ensuring uninterrupted access to local MLB games, including the Tampa Bay Rays.
If you love baseball and aren’t a DIRECTV customer yet, now’s the time to change that.
© 2026 Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, TV, movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
DIRECTV Insider brings you our views on what’s happening in streaming, t.v., movies and sports. Companies and persons mentioned are not necessarily associated with and do not necessarily endorse DIRECTV. We will disclose sponsored content on our site when we show it to you, and some of the links on the site may be ads or affiliate links which means DIRECTV may earn compensation from your purchases.
