ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays are poised to take center stage as they step back onto the diamond for the commencement of the 2024 season. CATCH THE TAMPA BAY RAYS LIVE ALL SEASON ON WENG on 98.1,107.5 FM and 1530 AM!
Marking their 27th campaign in the Major League Baseball, the Rays are set to face off against divisional rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays, in a highly anticipated series. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field on Thursday, signaling the official start of their season-long journey.
Both teams enter the season with aspirations fueled by last year’s playoff appearances, despite facing early exits in the American League Wild Card series of 2023. The Rays, coming off a strong showing last season, are gearing up to host the Blue Jays for a four-game series this Opening Weekend. However, injuries to key players such as Josh Lowe and Jonathan Aranda during Spring Training have necessitated the inclusion of young talent in the Rays’ lineup.
Adding to the excitement, Zach Elfin is poised to make his inaugural Opening Day start after an impressive debut season with the Rays, boasting a notable 16-8 record and a stellar 3.50 ERA in 2023.
In tandem with the on-field action, Tropicana Field is set to unveil exciting enhancements to the gameday experience for fans. These include the installation of brand-new turf, designed to emulate the appearance of a traditional grass field with its striped pattern. Additionally, fans can look forward to indulging in a variety of new culinary offerings.
As the city braces for an influx of baseball enthusiasts, Mayor Ken Welch has advised attendees to anticipate heavy traffic congestion and allocate extra time for travel and parking, particularly on Opening Day and throughout the weekend.
With anticipation building and expectations high, the stage is set for an electrifying start to the 2024 MLB season as the Tampa Bay Rays prepare to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in what promises to be an exhilarating series at Tropicana Field.