The Tampa Bay Rays return to Tropicana Field on Monday for a seven-game homestand against the Kansas City Royals (Aug 20-23) and Boston Red Sox (Aug 24-26). The 2018 Rays season is presented by Tampa General Hospital.
The homestand begins Monday, with the first of four consecutive 7:10 p.m. starts against the Royals.
For the second consecutive year, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association will hold Players' Weekend from August 24-26 when the Rays host the Red Sox. Players' Weekend will showcase the personalities and interests of Major League players by allowing them to select a nickname for the back of their jersey as well as wear and use uniquely colored and designed equipment including bats, spikes, batting gloves, wristbands, compression sleeves and catcher's equipment. Each player will have the opportunity to recognize someone who was instrumental in his personal development, or a baseball player who inspired him to achieve, on a jersey patch on his right sleeve. In addition, each player will have the option to wear a T-shirt highlighting a cause or charity of his choice during pregame workouts and postgame interviews.
The Rays take on the Red Sox beginning on Friday, August 24, with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m. When gates open prior to Saturday's 6:10 p.m. game, all fans in attendance will receive a Wade Boggs Bobblehead, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, while supplies last. The Tampa native and Hall of Famer will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Saturday's game. The homestand concludes on Sunday afternoon with a 1:10 p.m. start. Prior to Sunday's game, all kids 14 years and under will receive DJ Kitty Slippers, presented by Crown Automotive Group, while supplies last.
Sundays are Family Fun Days, courtesy of Tampa General Hospital. Every Sunday home game will feature free parking for cars with four or more passengers and a variety of postgame activities for kids, including Kids Run the Bases and a DJ Kitty Dance Party. For the fifth consecutive season, concourse activities will be complimentary for kids 14 years and under. Activities include Power Alley Batting Cage, Speed Pitch, Virtual Reality Home Run Derby, Raymond's Treehouse, Topps Make Your Own Baseball Card and the Grand Slam Alley, courtesy of GameTime. In addition, every Sunday home game, two Rays players will sign autographs for kids 14 years and under along the right field line from 12:00-12:30 p.m.
The Rays are also offering weekday specials throughout the season including:
• Monday -- Salute to Service Monday presented by Suncoast Credit Union: Military, Teachers and First Responders can receive two (2) complimentary tickets to select Monday home games, additional bonus dates and special ticket offers throughout the season. Some exclusions apply. Military, Teachers and First Responders are encouraged to visit raysbaseball.com/specials to sign up. Affiliation will be verified by ID.me, a third-party MLB-approved verification service. Tickets will be made available one week prior to each scheduled game date.
• Tuesday -- $2 Kids Tuesdays presented by Morgan Auto Group: For all Tuesday home games, tickets for kids 14 years and under are $2 with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket. $2 Hot Dogs, presented by Kayem Franks, will be available for all fans for all Tuesday home dates.
• Wednesday -- Senior Special Wednesdays presented by Duke Energy: For all Wednesday home games, Press Level tickets for fans 60 years and older are only $15.
• Thursday -- $19.98 Ticket Combo presented by Coca-Cola: For all Thursday home games, fans can purchase Press Level tickets that include chips and a 20-ounce bottled Coca-Cola beverage for $19.98.
• Friday -- $7.11 Tickets presented by 7-Eleven: For all Friday home games, fans may purchase Upper Level tickets for only $7.11. To take advantage of this special price, fans should visit a participating local 7-Eleven store and pick up the Rays Friday night discount coupon. The coupon code will be redeemable online at raysbaseball.com/specials or at the BayCare Box Office at Tropicana Field. Each coupon will be good for up to four (4) tickets. Fans will be able to upgrade to the lower level for an additional $7. Budweiser and Bud Lights will be available to purchase for fans 21 years and older for $5 at the Budweiser Porch in Center Field. Please drink responsibly.
     • 7Rewards members can show their app at Gate 3 Guest Services on Friday home games and receive one benefit, one time during the season, in addition to a free small slurpee coupon. Items available include one (1) voucher for a 20-ounce bottled soft drink or bottled water at Tropicana Field concession stands, free parking for a future Rays home game, 'Buy One, Get One' ticket offer or a Rays promotional item. All items are subject to availability.
     • Rays Season Ticket Holders can receive a one-time bonus of 711 Free Rays Rewards points by showing the 7Rewards app at Membership Services at Tropicana Field. All Season Ticket Holders who receive points also will receive a free small slurpee coupon.
PLAYERS' WEEKEND MERCHANDISE -- Rays Players' Weekend merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the homestand from the Rays Republic Team Store. In addition, authentic blank Players' Weekend jerseys and an original Blake Snell "Snellzilla" T-shirt will be available for sale.
SALUTE TO SERVICE $20 TICKETS -- The Rays have extended their Salute to Service promotion, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, to include $20 tickets for the game on Saturday, August 25. This special offer is available online only through raysbaseball.com/specials and expires the night before the game at midnight. Affiliation will be verified by ID.me, a third-party MLB approved verification service.
USF DAY-- USF Day returns to Tropicana Field on Sunday, August 26 with a $38 ticket package that includes a seat in the lower level and an exclusive Rays/USF co-branded hat. USF head football coach Charlie Strong will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. To purchase the USF ticket special, visit raysbaseball.com/specialevents. The deadline to purchase tickets is Thursday, August 23 at 11:59 p.m.
PLEDGE PACKS -- With a $150 donation to the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and the official charity of the Rays, fans can receive a Pledge Pack, valued at $250. Pledge Packs contain the Rays 20th anniversary coffee table book, a mystery autographed baseball grab bag, one (1) ticket voucher valid for four (4) Lower Corner tickets, a Fred McGriff and Tino Martinez Double Bobblehead and a Kevin Kiermaier STAR WARS® Pop Vinyl. All proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation. For more information or to purchase a pledge pack, visit raysbaseball.com/pledgepacks.
GATES OPEN -- Sunday-Thursday, 1 1/2 hours prior to first pitch; Friday-Saturday, two hours prior to first pitch.