Rays vs. Tigers: First Pitch Time, TV Channel & Live Stream Guide
Rays vs. Tigers: Your Complete Guide to the August 24, 2026 Matchup
Game Basics at a Glance
Important Game Details
- When: Monday, August 24, 2026 at 6:40 p.m. ET
- Where: Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
- TV Channel: FS1
- Streaming: Watch 3 days free on FOX One or FOX Sports
Team Records: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
| Team | Record | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | 77-53 | .592 (59.2%) |
| Detroit Tigers | 61-69 | .469 (46.9%) |
What this means: The Rays are having a strong season with nearly 60% wins, while the Tigers have struggled, winning less than half their games.
Starting Pitchers: The Guys on the Mound
Drew Rasmussen — Tampa Bay Rays (Right-handed)
- Record: 13-5
- ERA: 3.01 (Lower is better — this is excellent!)
- Innings Pitched: 134.1
- Key Stats: 0.94 WHIP, 138 strikeouts, 13 quality starts
Why he matters: Rasmussen has been one of the steadiest pitchers in baseball this year. He doesn’t let many runners on base (that super low WHIP) and strikes out a lot of batters.
Framber Valdez — Detroit Tigers (Left-handed)
- Record: 8-8
- ERA: 4.35
- Innings Pitched: 138.2
- Key Stats: 1.40 WHIP, 111 strikeouts, 12 quality starts
Why he matters: Valdez is having an up-and-down year. He’s pitched more innings but allows more baserunners. The Tigers need him to keep the ball on the ground and limit walks.
How to Watch: Step by Step
- Check your TV guide for FS1 at 6:40 p.m. ET
- No cable? Sign up for the 3-day free trial on FOX One
- Prefer online? Go to the FOX Sports game page
- Set a reminder — first pitch is at 6:40 sharp!
Players to Watch: The Difference Makers
Junior Caminero — Rays Third Baseman
- Season Stats: .276 average, 35 home runs, 83 RBIs, .532 slugging
- Why watch: He’s the Rays’ biggest power threat. One swing changes the game. The Tigers allow about 1 home run per 9 innings, so if Caminero gets a pitch he likes… watch out!
Kevin McGonigle — Tigers Third Baseman
- Season Stats: .283 average, .385 on-base %, 14 HR, 56 RBIs, 12 stolen bases
- Recent Game: 2-for-4 with a double, home run, 3 RBIs, and a walk
- Why watch: He gets on base, hits for power, and runs. Against a control pitcher like Rasmussen, getting on base early forces the Rays to pitch from the stretch — that’s advantage Tigers.
Drew Rasmussen (Rays Pitcher) — See full stats above
The matchup: Detroit hits righties well (.732 OPS, 10th in MLB). If Rasmussen keeps them off base early, the Rays’ elite bullpen (1.16 team WHIP, 51 saves) can close it out.
Framber Valdez (Tigers Pitcher) — See full stats above
The matchup: Tampa Bay struggles against lefties (.685 OPS, .372 slugging — both 7th lowest in MLB). Valdez’s recipe: ground balls + few walks = low-scoring game = Tigers’ best chance.
Key Storylines to Follow
- Rays’ formula: Great starting pitching → elite bullpen → win close games
- Tigers’ path: Valdez goes deep, McGonigle creates chaos on bases, offense does just enough
- Recent form: Tigers have lost 8 of 10; Rays are playing for playoff positioning
- Power vs. pitching: Caminero’s 35 HRs vs. Tigers’ 3.618 team ERA
Summary
The Tampa Bay Rays (77-53) visit the Detroit Tigers (61-69) on Monday, August 24 at 6:40 p.m. ET from Comerica Park. The game airs on FS1 and streams free for 3 days on FOX One.
Tampa Bay sends ace Drew Rasmussen (13-5, 3.01 ERA) against Detroit’s Framber Valdez (8-8, 4.35 ERA). The Rays’ offense runs through Junior Caminero (35 HRs), while the Tigers counter with hot-hitting Kevin McGonigle (.283, 14 HRs, 12 SBs).
Bottom line: Tampa Bay is the better team on paper, but baseball is funny — Valdez keeps the ball in the park, McGonigle gets on base, and suddenly Detroit has a shot. Grab your snacks, tune in at 6:40, and enjoy!
FAQ
Q: What time does the game start in my time zone?
A: The game starts at 6:40 p.m. Eastern Time. That’s 5:40 p.m. Central, 4:40 p.m. Mountain, and 3:40 p.m. Pacific.
Q: Do I need a cable subscription to watch?
A: No! You can watch free for 3 days on FOX One (link above) or stream via the FOX Sports website/app.
Q: What does ERA mean?
A: Earned Run Average — the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Lower is better. Rasmussen’s 3.01 is excellent; Valdez’s 4.35 is below average.
Q: What’s a "quality start"?
A: When a starting pitcher goes at least 6 innings and allows 3 or fewer earned runs. Both pitchers have 12+ quality starts this season.
Q: Who’s favored to win?
A: The article doesn’t list specific odds, but the Rays’ better record, superior starter (Rasmussen), and elite bullpen make them the likely favorite. Check FOX Sports for live odds closer to game time.