(TAMPA, Fla.) — Sun Sports, the statewide television home of the Tampa Bay Rays, will produce and televise 150 Rays regular season games in high definition as part of the 2013 Major League Baseball season.
Opening Day coverage begins live from Tropicana Field at 2:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 2, when the Rays host the Baltimore Orioles. Like last year, both home and away game telecasts will feature half-hour Rays LIVE pregame shows and all will offer extended post-game coverage from site. Home games Rays LIVE will originate from Tropicana Field, while away games will air from the FOX Sports studio in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Dewayne Staats returns this year for his 16th season as play-by-play announcer for Rays baseball on the regional network and will be joined in the TV booth by former MLB pitcher Brian Anderson. Staats enters his 36th year broadcasting baseball, while Anderson enters his 5th season providing analysis on Sun Sports.
Also in his 16th season, Todd Kalas serves as host for Rays LIVE pre- and postgame shows at Tropicana Field, while Barry LeBrock will anchor away games from the FOX Sports studio. Orestes Destrade rounds out the television talent lineup for Rays baseball on Sun Sports in 2013, appearing on and providing feature reports for Rays LIVE.
In addition to the 150 games on Sun Sports, the Rays will appear five times on the ‘FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week’ national schedule against the Boston Red Sox on April 13, at 1:05 p.m. ET, Baltimore Orioles on May 18, at 4:05 p.m. ET, Detroit Tigers on June 29, at 7:15 p.m. ET, Chicago White Sox on July 6, at 7:15 p.m. ET and Los Angeles Dodgers on August 10, at 4:05 p.m. ET.
The Saturday, April 27th matchup against the Chicago White Sox will air on FOX Sports Florida, and the Thursday, May 30th meeting against the Miami Marlins will be available via the Marlins broadcast on FOX Sports Florida.
Going beyond just coverage of games, Sun Sports’ partnership with the Rays provides fans with more opportunities to get to know the team and its players. Nine half-hour HD episodes of Sun Sports popular Inside the Rays are planned this year and will include player profiles, with rare behind-the-scenes stories and interviews, plus episodes offering inside access to other aspects of the team and its operations – all designed to bring the fans closer to their favorite team.
Don’t miss any of the action with your Rays this season. Be sure to tune in and follow @SunSportsRays on Twitter and visit FOXSportsFlorida.com for channel listings and exclusive Tampa Bay Rays coverage.
