How to Watch the 2026 ALCS on DIRECTV: Guardians vs. Rays Schedule and Channels
The Cleveland Guardians lead the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 in the 2026 ALCS, and Game 2 is Tuesday, October 13, at 8 p.m. ET on TBS from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. TNT Sports has every game on TBS (DIRECTV channel 247), truTV (246) and HBO Max, with Spanish on UniMás (408).
Cleveland rallied past Tampa Bay 7-3 in Game 1 on Monday night. Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey homered to erase an early deficit, Nathaniel Lowe's two-run single in the eighth put the Guardians ahead, and they added three more in the ninth. Rookie left-hander Parker Messick starts Game 2 for Cleveland against right-hander Freddy Peralta for the Rays, per ESPN and MLB.com. It's Tampa Bay's first ALCS since 2020, and Cleveland is chasing its first World Series trip since 2016. For the full postseason channel map, see MLB on DIRECTV.
2026 ALCS schedule and TV channels
Best of seven. All times ET, as of October 13, 2026, from MLB's published LCS broadcast schedule. Every game airs on TBS, truTV and HBO Max, with UniMás in Spanish.
| Game | Date | Where | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Mon., Oct. 12 | Tampa Bay | Final | Guardians 7, Rays 3 |
| Game 2 | Tue., Oct. 13 | Tampa Bay | 8 p.m. | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| Game 3 | Thu., Oct. 15 | Cleveland | 6 p.m. | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| Game 4 | Fri., Oct. 16 | Cleveland | 6 p.m.** | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| Game 5* | Sat., Oct. 17 | Cleveland | 8 p.m. | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| Game 6* | Mon., Oct. 19 | Tampa Bay | 5 p.m.*** | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
| Game 7* | Tue., Oct. 20 | Tampa Bay | 8 p.m. | TBS, truTV, HBO Max |
*If necessary. **Game 4 moves to 8 p.m. ET if the NLCS ends in a sweep. ***Game 6 moves to 8 p.m. ET if there's no NLCS Game 7. MLB says the schedule is subject to change.
ALCS channels on DIRECTV
| Network | DIRECTV channel | Included with |
|---|---|---|
| TBS | 247 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher |
| truTV | 246 | ENTERTAINMENT and higher |
| UniMás (Spanish) | 408 | CHOICE and higher |
| MLB Network (studio coverage) | 213 | CHOICE and higher |
| HBO Max (streaming) | App | HBO Max Standard included with PREMIER |
TBS and truTV carry the same broadcast, so if one is busy recording, flip to the other. Postseason games are national broadcasts, so you won't find them on the teams' regional networks. Not sure TBS is in your package? Call 1-855-690-9884.
How the ALDS ended
| Series | Result | Game scores |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 Rays vs. No. 4 Yankees | Rays won 3-0 | 1-0, 5-2, 4-3 |
| No. 2 Guardians vs. No. 6 White Sox | Guardians won 3-2 | Lost 3-0 and 4-3, then won 9-3, 9-5 and 2-0 |
You can look back at White Sox vs. Guardians, Yankees vs. Rays and the full 2026 ALDS guide. Tampa Bay is the No. 1 seed, so the Rays host Games 1, 2, 6 and 7. The Rays went 5-1 against Cleveland in the regular season, according to ESPN.
How to stream the ALCS
HBO Max simulcasts every ALCS game. HBO Max includes live sports with its Standard and Premium plans, not Basic With Ads. DIRECTV's PREMIER package includes HBO Max Standard: activate it under Manage My TV Package in your DIRECTV account, then open the HBO Max app, choose your provider and sign in with your DIRECTV login. The app comes preloaded on DIRECTV Gemini devices. The MyEntertainment Genre Pack includes HBO Max Basic With Ads, so use TBS or truTV for the games. See HBO Max on DIRECTV for details.
You can also watch TBS and truTV in the DIRECTV app with your DIRECTV login. MLB says postseason games on TNT Sports platforms are available to MLB.TV subscribers who also sign in as TBS or truTV subscribers through a participating pay TV provider.
Radio, Spanish and studio coverage
- Spanish TV: UniMás, channel 408 on DIRECTV (CHOICE and higher), carries the ALCS.
- Radio: ESPN Radio has national audio of every postseason game, and TUDN Radio is the Spanish-language radio home.
- Studio shows: MLB Network (channel 213) covers the postseason daily.
The rest of October on DIRECTV
In the NLCS, the Brewers lead the Dodgers 2-0, and Game 3 is Wednesday, October 14, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1 (channel 219); see our 2026 NLCS guide. The World Series starts Friday, October 23, with every game on FOX. For every postseason channel, see MLB on DIRECTV.
Which DIRECTV plan is best for the ALCS?
- ENTERTAINMENT: includes TBS (247) and truTV (246), plus FS1 (219) for the NLCS.
- CHOICE: adds UniMás (408) and MLB Network (213).
- PREMIER: adds HBO Max Standard so you can stream every game.
Compare DIRECTV options at your address or see what channel TBS is on DIRECTV.
Frequently asked questions
Who is winning the 2026 ALCS?
The Cleveland Guardians lead the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 after winning Game 1, 7-3, on Monday, October 12, at Tropicana Field.
What time is ALCS Game 2?
Game 2 is Tuesday, October 13, at 8 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on TBS, truTV and HBO Max, with UniMás in Spanish.
What channel is the ALCS on DIRECTV?
TBS on channel 247 and truTV on channel 246, both included with ENTERTAINMENT and higher. UniMás has the Spanish broadcast on channel 408.
Can I stream the ALCS on HBO Max?
Yes. HBO Max simulcasts every game on its Standard and Premium plans. DIRECTV PREMIER includes HBO Max Standard, which you activate through your DIRECTV account.
Is the ALCS on FOX or ESPN?
No. The ALCS is on TBS, truTV and HBO Max. FOX and FS1 have the NLCS, and ESPN has radio only.
Questions about TBS or HBO Max on your plan? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 13, 2026. Game times and networks are from MLB's LCS broadcast schedule and are subject to change by MLB and TNT Sports. HBO Max plan features are set by HBO Max. Channel lineups, carriage and package availability vary by address and may change. MLB, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, UniMás, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.