Wait, is there seriously a baseball game today? Honestly, if you’re looking for what time is the guardians game today on tv right now—specifically on this Sunday, January 18, 2026—the short answer is going to sting a little.
There isn't one.
I know, I know. We’ve all been there. You wake up, the weather is grey, the NFL playoffs are in full swing, and you just get that sudden, inexplicable itch for the sound of a bat cracking and the sight of Progressive Field. But we are currently deep in the "dark zone" of the MLB calendar. We are past the winter meetings, the big free-agent splashes are (mostly) settled, and the actual players are still probably working out in private gyms or enjoying the last bits of their vacation.
The Real Schedule: When the Guardians Actually Return
If you were hoping to catch Jose Ramirez and the crew on your big screen today, you’ve got a bit of a wait. The 2026 MLB season is historic because it’s kicking off earlier than almost any season in the history of the sport.
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Here is how the timeline actually looks for the Cleveland Guardians:
- Spring Training Opener: The very first chance to see the team in action is February 21, 2026. They’ll be taking on the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Usually, these games start around 3:05 PM ET, though TV coverage for the early Cactus League games is always a bit hit-or-miss.
- Opening Day 2026: This is the big one. The Guardians open the regular season on the road. Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 26, 2026.
- The Matchup: They are headed to Seattle to face the Mariners.
- The Home Opener: If you want to be physically in the stands in Cleveland, that happens April 3, 2026, against the Chicago Cubs.
What Time Is The Guardians Game Today On TV: Navigating the 2026 Broadcast Mess
Even when the season does start, finding the game on TV has become a literal full-time job for fans. Remember when you just turned on Channel 43 or SportsTime Ohio and life was simple? Those days are long gone.
Basically, the "what time" question is only half the battle. The "where" is the real nightmare. For 2026, the Guardians' TV rights are still largely tied to the Bally Sports successor (FanDuel Sports Network), but the national schedule is more fragmented than ever.
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Take the opening series in Seattle, for example. Because it's a West Coast trip, those games are going to start late for us in Ohio. We’re talking 10:10 PM ET starts. You’re going to be exhausted at work on Friday morning. That’s just the tax we pay for being fans of a team that opens in the Pacific Time Zone.
Where to Watch the Guardians in 2026
- FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally): This remains the primary home for about 145–150 games.
- Peacock: NBC has doubled down on their MLB Sunday Leadoff. In fact, the Guardians already have a scheduled game on Peacock for March 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM against Seattle.
- Apple TV+: "Friday Night Baseball" is still a thing. If the Guardians are playing a high-profile opponent, expect to need an extra subscription.
- The MLB App: If you live outside of the Cleveland "blackout" zone, this is your best friend. If you live in Cleveland? It's a source of constant rage due to those aforementioned blackouts.
Why Do People Search for This in the Middle of Winter?
It sounds crazy to ask what time is the guardians game today on tv in the middle of January. But it’s actually a sign of how the sport is changing.
In 2026, the "offseason" doesn't really exist. Fans are checking schedules because of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) rumors, Caribbean Series updates, or simply because they've seen a viral clip of a prospect like Travis Bazzana tearing it up in a winter league.
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Also, let’s be real: Cleveland winters are tough. By mid-January, the novelty of snow has worn off. The Browns are usually either out of the playoffs or stressing us out in the divisional round (like today’s Rams vs. Bears game taking up the airwaves). Baseball represents summer. It represents 75-degree evenings and overpriced hot dogs. Searching for the game time is basically a form of seasonal affective disorder therapy.
Common Misconceptions About the 2026 Schedule
A lot of fans think the season starts in April. Not this year. Because MLB wanted to build in more off-days for player health and to avoid 1:00 AM finishes during the playoffs, they pushed the start date into late March.
Another weird thing about 2026? The "Rivalry Weekend" format. The Guardians have a massive series against the Reds scheduled for May 15–17. If you’re looking for "what time" during that window, expect those to be primetime slots because the league is trying to market these regional battles like they're the Super Bowl.
Actionable Steps for the True Guardians Fan
Since you can't actually watch a live game today, here is how you should prepare so you aren't scrambling on March 26:
- Check your cable or streaming package now. Don't wait until the first pitch to realize your provider dropped the regional sports network. If you’re a cord-cutter, look into Fubo or the direct-to-consumer app for FanDuel Sports.
- Download the MLB Ballpark App. They’ve updated the interface for 2026 to include better gate entry and "smart" concessions.
- Sync the schedule to your Google Calendar. The official Guardians website has a "Sync to Calendar" button. Do it. It automatically updates the times (which often change due to national TV flex scheduling).
- Watch the "Guardians Report" on YouTube. Since there's no game on TV today, local creators and the team’s official channel are dropping spring training preview content. It’s the closest you’ll get to actual baseball for the next few weeks.
The wait is almost over. We’re roughly 34 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Arizona. Until then, grab a jersey, turn on the NFL playoffs, and keep dreaming of those Lake Erie sunsets.