Attention all baseball fans: You can catch the Cleveland Guardians take on the Los Angeles Dodgers today for free, but there’s a twist that might just catch you off guard. Here’s the kicker: local blackout restrictions apply, leaving fans in Cleveland and Los Angeles out in the cold. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with all the details on how to watch this highly anticipated Cactus League matchup without spending a dime (well, almost).
Updated: Feb. 24, 2026, 12:01 p.m.
Published: Feb. 24, 2026, 12:00 p.m.
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By Robert Fenbers, cleveland.com (https://www.cleveland.com/staff/rfenbers/)
Today, the Cleveland Guardians face off against the two-time defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. This spring training game is a must-watch, and luckily, it’s available on multiple streaming platforms for free—but only if you’re outside the local markets. And this is the part most people miss: blackout restrictions mean Cleveland and Los Angeles fans will need to get creative to tune in.
How can you watch the Guardians for free today?
The game kicks off at 3:05 p.m. Eastern (1:05 p.m. Mountain) and will be broadcast live on MLB Network and SportsNetLA. But here’s where it gets tricky: if you’re in Cleveland or Los Angeles, MLB Network will black you out. Controversial, right? Why should local fans be left out of the action?
For those outside these markets, there are two straightforward ways to watch for free. If you’ve cut the cord with your cable provider, you can take advantage of free trials from DIRECTV (https://go.skimresources.com/?id=126006X1587346&xs=1&xcust=rfenbers%7C&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.directv.com%2Faffiliates%2Fstream%2F&productcategory=Arts+%26+Entertainment%3EStreaming) or FuboTV (https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191273?irad=377812&irmp=1810032&productcategory=Sports%3EStreaming%3EBaseball). DIRECTV even offers $40 off your first month, while FuboTV gives you $25 off. Not a bad deal, right?
If you’re looking for a more affordable long-term option, Sling TV (https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/1810032/1132376/14334?adtype=Deeplink&subId1=rfenbers%7C&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F&product_category=Arts+%26+Entertainment%3EStreaming) has you covered. Their Orange and Blue combined plan, plus the $11 sports extra package, gives you access to MLB Network and 70 other channels, including ESPN, TBS, NFL Network, and Big Ten Network. With a half-off discount, your first month comes out to just $44.99.
Now, let’s talk about the teams. The Guardians are off to a blazing 4-0 start in the Cactus League, including a split squad game. On Feb. 23, Jose Ramirez stole the show with a three-run home run and four RBIs as Cleveland defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-5. But here’s where it gets interesting: the Guardians led 7-0 through six innings before their bullpen allowed five runs in the next two frames. Is this a cause for concern, or just a spring training hiccup?
Offensively, the Guardians are firing on all cylinders. Bo Naylor went 2-for-3 with a double, Chase DeLauter drove in an RBI double, and Jaison Chourio chipped in with an RBI single. Ryan Cesarini also made his presence felt with a sac fly and a bases-loaded walk that scored Cooper Ingle. In total, Cleveland tallied 11 hits, and all but four players in the lineup reached base.
On the pitching side, Tanner Bibee shook off the rust with two solid innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one. Matt Festa (1-0) and Tim Herrin kept things clean, but Pedro Avila and Trenton Denholm struggled, giving up five runs to the Diamondbacks. Should the Guardians be worried about their bullpen depth?
Looking ahead, right-hander Gavin Williams will take the mound for Cleveland. After a stellar 2025 season where he went 12-5 with a 3.06 ERA and 173 strikeouts, Williams is the frontrunner for the Opening Day start. But here’s a question for you: Can he lead the Guardians to a championship this year?
As for the Dodgers, they’re 3-0 and aiming for a historic three-peat. On Feb. 23, they shut out the Seattle Mariners 3-0, with Alex Freeland and Santiago Espinal contributing key RBIs. Los Angeles showcased their pitching depth by using nine different pitchers, each throwing exactly one inning. Is this the year the Dodgers make history, or will another team rise to the challenge?
Right-hander Gavin Stone gets the start for the Dodgers today, marking his return after missing the entire 2025 season due to shoulder surgery. Stone was on the rise before his injury, posting an 11-5 record with a 3.53 ERA in 2024. Can he pick up where he left off, or will the time off affect his performance?
The Guardians and Dodgers will face off again on March 3, so mark your calendars. In the meantime, here’s how you can watch today’s game:
What: MLB Cactus League: Cleveland Guardians vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
When: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026
Time: 3:05 p.m. Eastern (1:05 p.m. Mountain)
Where: Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, Ariz.
Channel: MLB Network (excluding Cleveland and Los Angeles markets) and SportsNetLA
Best Streaming Options:
- FuboTV (https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191273?irad=377812&irmp=1810032&productcategory=Sports%3EStreaming%3EBaseball) – Free trial and $25 off your first month
- DIRECTV (https://go.skimresources.com/?id=126006X1587346&xs=1&xcust=rfenbers%7C&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.directv.com%2Faffiliates%2Fstream%2F&productcategory=Arts+%26+Entertainment%3EStreaming) – Free trial and $40 off your first month
- SlingTV (https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/1810032/1132376/14334?adtype=Deeplink&subId1=rfenbers%7C&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F&product_category=Arts+%26+Entertainment%3EStreaming) – Half off your first month
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Robert Fenbers, a freelance journalist since 2015, is the sports commerce reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. He specializes in local and national sporting event ticket sales and streaming options, helping fans stay connected to the action. What’s your take on today’s game? Do you think the Guardians can keep their winning streak alive, or will the Dodgers prove too strong? Let us know in the comments!
