There are only a handful of early games this week to enjoy in the British evening, but they provide some good pitching match-ups and (potentially) a historic game on Thursday between two old rivals. All times are listed in BST.
Monday 25th August – It might be a Bank Holiday in the U.K., but it’s a normal working day in the U.S., so no early games today. Of the games being played later on, the most intriguing pitching match-up takes place in San Diego. Jake Peavy pitches for the Padres against Dan Haren and the D-Backs (03.05). Elsewhere, the Dodgers and the Phillies end their four-game series with Chad Billingsley and Brett Myers on the mound (00.05), while Francisco Liriano makes a start for the Twins against the Mariners (03.10).
Tuesday 26th August – No early games, but there are plenty of top pitchers scheduled to start under the lights. Andy Pettitte is facing Boston in what will probably be the Red Sox’s final visit to Yankee Stadium, Zambrano’s pitching for the Cubs against the Pirates, Cliff Lee goes for win number 19 in the Indians’ game against the Tigers, Pedro Martinez takes on the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park (all 00.05), Roy Halladay matches-up against James Shields and the Rays (00.10), the Brewers send Ben Sheets to the mound against the Cardinals (01.15), the Padres have to battle against Brandon Webb (03.05), and the A’s try to play the role of spoiler against John Lackey and the Angels (03.05).
Wednesday 27th August – Our first early evening baseball action of the week, with three games to enjoy today. We start at the glorious setting of PNC Park in Pittsburgh as the Pirates take on the Cubs. First pitch is scheduled for 17.35; Jason Marquis and Zach Duke are the probable pitchers. The Padres have had to face Haren and Webb already and there’s no respite today as the D-Backs now throw Randy Johnson at them. Cha Seung Baek goes for San Diego, beginning at 20.35. Finally, the Twins take on the Mariners from 21.40 with Glen Perkins on the mound for Minnesota. The Wednesday Night game on Five is the Red Sox versus the Yankees and coverage begins at 01.35.
Thursday 28th August – Just the two early games on ‘get-away’ Thursday, but the first should be something special. Subject to any rain-outs earlier in the series, or the two teams coming together in the post-season, this will be the last time that the Red Sox and the Yankees play against each other at the current Yankee Stadium. Jon Lester and Mike Mussina are scheduled to start this historic game, with first pitch set for 18.05. In the other early game, the Reds take on the Astros at Minute Maid Park from 19.05.
Friday 29th August – If you like to be able to watch a live MLB game on a Friday evening in Britain, you’ve got to be thankful to the Cubs. They regularly provide us with entertainment from Wrigley at the end of a working week and they do so again today. The Phillies are in town for what should be a great series and, if that’s not enough, the probable pitcher for the Cubs is Rich Harden. First pitch is set for 19.20.
NASN’s MLB schedule for the week can be found here.Â
