The Tampa Bay Rays are one of the latest additions to the American League. They started out as the Devil Rays in 1998 and rebranded the Rays in 2008. The team won the AL pennant in 2008 but is still waiting for their first World Series title. None the less, Rays fans are hyped about the future of the team. They cheer on the Rays whether they are playing away or at home at Tropicana Field. If you’ve ever been to a game then you know that fans are serious about their baseball. You have to be to sit through the heat in mid-summer. The Rays main rivals include the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. You can expect heated competition during these series. The Tampa Bay Rays have a good following a positive looking future. Unfortunately MLB blackout restrictions have made it harder for people living in the Tampa Bay area and outside of the country to stream games. However, fans can watch the Rays all season long and bypass blackouts with a VPN.
How to Use a VPN to Watch the Tampa Bay Rays
Here’s a quick guide for watching Tampa Rays baseball with a VPN.
- Sign up for ExpressVPN (30 day risk-free money-back guarantee)
- Install the ExpressVPN browser extension, desktop, or mobile app.
- Launch the ExpressVPN app and select a server in your chosen region. We recommend Canada or Mexico for viewing MLB games to bypass blackout restrictions.
- Cheer on your favorite team through MLB.TV or any of the popular streaming services that broadcast the games.
Why You Need a VPN to Watch the Tampa Bay Rays
Before we explain how to watch the Tampa Bay Rays with a VPN, join us as we teach you the benefits a VPN can give you while watching sports. Many MLB games have blackout restrictions. These are used to increase attendance to games. Another reason that you might not be able to see the Rays is because the broadcasters might be showing another game. A VPN can help you solve this problem by allowing you to appear in a different region. This is done through changing your IP address to one from the server location you choose. If you select a location where your game is being shown, then you will be able to watch it. A VPN will also protect your privacy by masking your real IP. Connecting to a VPN will help you get around blackout restrictions and follow the Tampa Bay Rays all season long.
Tampa Bay Rays History and Division Info
The Tampa Bay Rays (formerly Devil Rays) may have only started in 1998 but they already have an AL pennant and went to the playoffs in 2019. Their future is bright. The team was founded in 1998 and rebranded to the Tampa Rays in 2008. They play in the American League conference. The Tampa Bay Rays have fielded some well known all-star players like Wade Boggs, Johnny Damon, Tino Martinez, and Fred McGriff. Their minor league teams include the Durham Bulls (AAA) and Montgomery Biscuits (AA).
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays joined the AL East in 1998 when they joined the league. The team dropped Devil from their name in 2008 but has remained in Tampa. Here is the Rays American League East (AL East) series schedule for the 2023 season:
- Rays vs. Yankees – May 5-7 (H), May 11-14 (A), July 31 – Aug 2 (A), Aug 25-27 (H)
- Rays vs. Red Sox – April 10-13 (H), June 2-4 (A), Sept 4-6 (H), Sept 26-27 (A)
- Rays vs. Orioles – May 8-10 (A), June 20-21 (H), July 20-23 (H), Sept 14-17 (A)
- Rays vs. Blue Jays – April 14-16 (A), May 22-25 (H), Sept 22-24 (H), Sept 29 – Oct 1 (A)
The Tampa Bay Rays will play a total of 13 games against each team in the AL East during the regular season. The winner will be guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The Rays are competitive in a tough division recently and are due for a playoff run.
How to Watch Tampa Rays Games with ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN for streaming sports. This is because they help you gain access to content that you would otherwise be blocked from watching. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries, but some of the best are in the United States. This is great as the US has popular sports like football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. They are available through ESPN, NBC, Fox Sports, NFL Game Pass, MLB.TV, and more. The NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and NCAA implement blackout restrictions that block in-market games. Some even block viewers internationally. One of the best ways to get around this is through a VPN. Blackout restrictions like those from MLB.TV can easily be avoided by connecting to Mexico, Canada, or a different location in the US. ExpressVPN will help you stream all your favorite American sports leagues.
We’re excited to share an exclusive ExpressVPN discount with our readers. You can sign up and save 49% off a year of VPN and receive an extra 3 months for free. This will give you unlimited access to their large VPN network and MediaStreamer service. Access your favorite streaming services from anywhere, reduce lag, and bypass blackout restrictions. ExpressVPN offers a 30 day money back guarantee which gives you a month to watch your favorite sporting events and experience all the benefits of the service.
