The Tampa Bay Rays will open the 2026 season with right‑hander Drew Rasmussen on the mound, marking his first career Opening Day start. The Rays face the St. Louis Cardinals, who counter with left‑hander Matthew Liberatore, also making his first Opening Day appearance.
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The matchup carries symbolic weight for both pitchers. Liberatore was originally drafted by the Rays in 2018 before being traded to St. Louis in the deal that brought Randy Arozarena to Tampa Bay. Rasmussen’s assignment comes after a remarkable comeback from three major elbow surgeries, culminating in an All‑Star season and a 2.76 ERA across 31 starts in 2025.
Rasmussen’s Journey Leads to a Major Milestone
Rasmussen returned to the Rays’ rotation in 2025 after recovering from an internal brace procedure and delivered one of the most consistent seasons in the American League. He relied on a mix of fastballs, a sweeper, and a curveball to limit hard contact and avoid big innings. His performance made him the clear choice for Opening Day, a decision Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander communicated directly to the staff.
Rasmussen called the opportunity humbling and said he looks forward to taking the ball to begin the season.
Liberatore Leads Cardinals Into a New Era
Liberatore enters 2026 as the Cardinals’ No. 1 starter after a strong spring and a breakout 2024 bullpen stint that helped him refine his command. He allowed only one walk in 13 1/3 exhibition innings and embraced the chance to pitch the first game of the season.
At 26, he anchors a rotation reshaped by offseason moves, including the departure of Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas.
Rays Announce New Cable and Satellite Deals for 2026
As the Rays prepare for Opening Day, the organization also unveiled expanded cable and satellite distribution for the 2026 season. The new agreements strengthen the team’s statewide reach and support the continued rollout of Rays.TV.
The deals ensure that Rays games will be available across Florida’s major cable and satellite providers, giving fans consistent access from Fort Myers and Naples up through Tampa Bay, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee.
The expanded footprint includes:
• Major cable systems in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Gainesville • Full coverage across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida • New and expanded carriage in Fort Myers, Naples, and the Southwest Florida coast • Panhandle and Tallahassee distribution through regional cable partners • Satellite availability statewide on DirecTV and Dish Network
These agreements position the Rays as one of the most widely distributed MLB teams in the Southeast.
Rays.TV Extends Streaming Access Across Florida
Rays.TV continues to grow as a central part of the team’s media strategy. The service offers in‑market streaming, pregame and postgame programming, and full game replays. The 2026 rollout includes enhanced statewide availability and improved integration with cable authentication.
Fans from Fort Myers to Jacksonville and from Tallahassee to Orlando–Daytona Beach will have access to Rays.TV, giving the franchise a unified digital platform that complements its cable and satellite partners.
A Strong Broadcast Foundation for a New Season
The combination of new statewide TV deals, expanded Rays.TV access, and a compelling Opening Day matchup gives the Rays a strong media foundation entering 2026. Rasmussen’s story, Liberatore’s connection to Tampa Bay, and the franchise’s growing broadcast footprint all set the stage for a high‑visibility start to the season.
The Rays open their 29th season with momentum on the field and a significantly larger audience off it.
