Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Stream: How to Watch MLB

In a battle of division-leading interleague rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Tampa Bay Rays for their only series of the year, starting on Friday.

The Tampa Bay Rays look to stay red hot when they travel to start this weekend series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates on Friday night. The Rays are going for their seventh straight win after sweeping the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in consecutive series. Tampa Bay is 11-7 and in first in the AL East, but it has to keep its foot on the gas with New York just 1.5 games back. The Pirates are coming off a split four-game series against the Washington Nationals, and are also first in the NL East, tied with the Cincinnati Reds, with an 11-8 mark. This is the first and only series of the season between these interleague foes. Despite the Rays’ current winning streak, the Pirates will have homefield advantage tonight and a -149 line to win the opener on Friday night.

How to Watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates Today:

Game Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

Game Time: 6:40 p.m. ET

TV: MLB.TV – Pittsburgh Pirates

Location: PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA

Live stream the Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates game on Fubo: Start Watching Now!

The Rays swept the series against Chicago on Thursday in a comeback victory, winning 5-3. The White Sox took the lead in the eighth with a homer from Everson Pereira. But Tampa Bay bounced right back with a rally started by Junior Caminero, who hit a solo shot to tie the game. Chicago walked in two more runs for Tampa Bay to complete the comeback. After the Rays started the season 2-5, they have won nine of their last 11 games. Tampa Bay will start Nick Martinez for their seventh straight win. The righty still doesn’t have a record with a 2.16 ERA in 16.2 innings across three starts.

The Pirates split their four-game series against Washington after an 8-7 loss in extras on Thursday. James Wood singled in the automatic runner in the 10th inning that proved to be the game-winner. It was a tough loss considering Pittsburgh rallied to score the tying run in the bottom of the ninth after Brandon Lowe reached on an infield single, and the Pirates finished the day with 15 hits. Pittsburgh will try to rally by starting the up-and-coming Bubba Chandler. The righty is still looking for his first win of 2026 with a 0-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in 14 innings pitched. That is nearly half the innings he pitched last season when he made his debut in August, 2025.

What time is the Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates?

The Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates game will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 6:40 p.m. ET. Tune in and catch some great MLB action.

What Channel Is the Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates On?

Looking to watch this game? Fans can tune in to MLB.TV – Pittsburgh Pirates to see the action. Make sure you subscribe to Fubo now to watch this matchup, as well as numerous other sports leagues.

Live stream the Tampa Bay Rays vs Pittsburgh Pirates game on Fubo: Start watching now!

Regional restrictions may apply.