MLB

The Trop's 300-level is open for this "I-275 Series" opener between these two familiar division rivals. Sure, there will be lots of Yankees fans, but the Rays had an MLB-best 55-26 home record this season.

The first two games of the best-of-five matchup will be at Tropicana Field. New York advanced by sweeping AL East rival Boston in the Wild Card Series.

After spending 2025 at Steinbrenner Field, Tampa Bay had the biggest increase, up 628,255 to 1,414,975. The Trop hosted 24 games with more than 20,000 people and seven with more than 24,000.

The Rays debuted their new "gray" road uniforms for their 6-1 victory over New York. Afterward, it didn't take long to cover them with blue T-shirts that proclaimed they were AL East "champs."

When the previous owners rebranded the team in 2007, they removed the region from the away jerseys — standard fare for most teams. The new primary kit with a retro look debuts Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Tampa Bay, which has the AL's best record, became the first team in the majors to secure a playoff spot. Tickets for possible wild card and division round games go on sale this week.

The 4-3 vote came near the end of an eight-hour meeting. The Hillsborough County Commission has a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday to take up what has become a fluid "final" financing agreement.

Among the changes in the 134-page contract from May's nonbinding MOU: The Rays increased their commitment by $100 million, to $1.37 billion, with a corresponding decrease in the public contribution.

A draft is expected to go public Thursday. The agreement, which will include recent proposals by Councilman Bill Carlson, would then be added to upcoming agendas for the city council and county commission.

The Rays, who have the best record in the American League, acquired veteran starter Freddy Peralta from the Mets and power-hitting catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks from the Marlins.

CEO Ken Babby meets with councilman Bill Carlson a day after two contentious decisions by the council and CRA board. Meantime, Mayor Jane Castor rebuked council members, eliciting a sharp response from Carlson.

The privately financed development, key to a plan to use revenue from the Drew Park CRA, will include office space that Rays CEO Ken Babby said has drawn early interest from Fortune 500 companies.