What to know about MLB’s ABS robot umpire strike zone system
MLB launches ABS challenge system as players test robot umpire calls in a groundbreaking season.
The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.
The MLB action continues on Thursday as the Tampa Bay Rays visit the Kansas City Royals.
Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.
See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.
What time is Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals?
First pitch between the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, July 2.
How to watch Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals on Thursday
All times Eastern and accurate as of Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 6:35 a.m.
- Matchup: TB at KC
- Date: Thursday, July 2
- Time: 7:40 p.m. (ET)
- Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- TV: Royals.TV and Rays.TV
- Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo
Watch MLB all season long with Fubo
MLB regional blackout restrictions apply
MLB scores, results
MLB scores for July 2 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:
See scores, results for all of today’s games.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.usatoday.com ’
