ST. PETERSBURG — Opening Day for the Tampa Bay Rays is now one day earlier after ESPN tabbed the Rays-Toronto Blue Jays game Tropicana Field as one of seven to be televised nationally.
The Rays and Jays will begin the 2016 season Sun., April 3, at 4:05 p.m. on ESPN2. They had been scheduled to open the season April 4.
As a result, the four-game series will run Sunday through Wednesday with the Rays having their first off day of the season April 7.
Here is the ESPN schedule:
SUN., APRIL 3
♦ Cardinals at Pirates, 1:05 (ESPN)
♦ Blue Jays at Rays, 4:05 (ESPN2)
♦ Mets at Royals, 8:35 (ESPN)
MON.