What channel is Pirates vs. Rays on today? Time, TV schedule, live stream to watch MLB Friday Night Baseball game originally appeared on The Sporting News.

Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.It's an early season matchup of first-place teams Friday as the Pirates host the Rays to open a weekend series at PNC Park.Pittsburgh is in the middle of a homestand after wrapping up a four-game set with the Nationals on Thursday. Brandon Lowe continues to pace the Pirates' offense, ranking among MLB's leaders in OPS (.992) and home runs (seven), while Oneil Cruz and Ryan O'Hearn also are off to strong starts at the plate. While pitching has long been the Rays' calling card, they've had a role reversal of sorts early in 2026.

Their staff is in the bottom third of MLB with a 4.38 ERA but their .735 team OPS puts them sixth in the majors. Tampa Bay is expected to send Nick Martinez to the mound Friday evening. He has no decisions this year but has been stellar, allowing four earned runs — all of them coming on homers — across three starts.

Bubba Chandler will get the ball for Pittsburgh as he looks to get a handle on his command. The right-hander has walked 12 batters in 14 innings so far but has mostly been able to limit the damage in three starts. Who will start the weekend with a win?

Here's everything you need to know to watch the series opener. What channel is Pirates vs. Rays on today?TV channel: NoneLive stream: Apple TVPirates vs.

Rays will not air on traditional television Friday. The game will stream live as part of Apple TV's "Friday Night Baseball" package. New subscribers get their first week of Apple TV for free.

After that, they can subscribe for just $12.99/month. Subscribers can watch "Friday Night Baseball" with the Apple TV app, which is available on select smart TVs, Roku devices, Amazon Fire TV, and gaming consoles. Pirates vs.

Rays start timeDate: Friday, April 17Time: 6:45 p.m. ETFirst pitch of Pirates vs. Rays on Friday is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.

The game will be played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.Apple TV 'Friday Night Baseball' schedule 2026Apple and MLB have announced the "Friday Night Baseball" schedule through the end of June. See every upcoming game below. DateGameTime (ET)April 17Rays at Pirates6:45 p.m.Tigers at Red Sox7:15 p.m.April 24Phillies at Braves7:15 p.m.Cubs at Dodgers10:15 p.m.May 1Reds at Pirates6:45 p.m.Royals at Mariners9:45 p.m.May 8Twins at Guardians7:15 p.m.Cardinals at Padres9:45 p.m.May 15Blue Jays at Tigers6:45 p.m.Yankees at Mets7:15 p.m.May 22Astros at Cubs2:20 p.m.Tigers at Orioles7:15 p.m.May 29Twins at Pirates6:45 p.m.Phillies at Dodgers10:15 p.m.June 5Guardians at Rangers8:15 p.m.Royals at Twins8:15 p.m.June 12Diamondbacks at Reds7:15 p.m.Braves at Mets7:15 p.m.June 19Cardinals at Royals8:15 p.m.Twins at Diamondbacks9:45 p.m.June 26Cubs at Brewers7:45 p.m.Dodgers at Padres9:45 p.m.Related LinksLatest MLB news and rumors2026 MLB schedule and scoresMLB standings 2026