ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 8: Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays strikes out swinging to end the thrid inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 8, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 8: Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays strikes out swinging to end the thrid inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles on April 8, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
FOX’s Sun Sports Announce 150-Game Tampa Bay Rays Televsion Schedule for 2015
TAMPA, Fla. (March 2, 2015) — Sun Sports, the statewide television home of the Tampa Bay Rays, announced today the network will produce and televise 150 Rays regular season games as part of the 2015 Major League Baseball season.
Opening Day coverage begins live from Tropicana Field with a special 90 minute pregame show, starting at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, when the Rays host the Baltimore Orioles. Like last year, both home and away game broadcasts will feature half-hour Rays LIVE pregame shows and all will offer extended postgame 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 18th season as play-by-play announcer for Rays baseball on Sun Sports and will be joined in the booth by former MLB pitcher Brian Anderson. Staats enters his 38th year broadcasting baseball, while Anderson enters his 7th season providing color commentary on Sun Sports.
Also in his 18th season, Todd Kalas serves as host for Rays LIVE pre- and postgame shows at Tropicana Field, while Rich Hollenberg will return for his second season anchoring away games from the FOX Sports studio. Orestes Destrade also returns in his role as analyst on Rays LIVE. Two new faces join the broadcast team this season as Tampa native Emily Austen will serve as in-game reporter and host of select “Inside the Rays” episodes, while former Rays pitcher Doug Waechter will provide in-depth pitching insight this season as analyst.
In addition to the 150 games on Sun Sports, the Rays will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1 three times this year with broadcasts on Saturday, April 18 at 7:05 p.m. vs. the New York Yankees, Saturday, July 4 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Yankees and Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Yankees.
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 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.
Be sure to tune in and follow @SunSportsRays on Twitter and Instagram, and visit FOXSportsFlorida.com for channel listings and exclusive Tampa Bay Rays coverage.
About FOX Sports Florida / FOX’s Sun Sports
FOX Sports Florida & Sun Sports are the regional television homes of the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. The regional sports networks are available in more than 6.5 million cable & satellite homes across the state. FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve by engaging our audiences and providing award winning TV and web coverage of Florida’s hometown sports teams. For more information, channel listings and how you can get involved with FOX Sports Florida / Sun Sports, visit www.foxsportsflorida.com
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