Saturday’s early MLB games include the resurgent Rays, the still-reeling Red Sox and the surprising joint-leaders of the AL Central.

All times are in BST.

18.05. Baltimore at Cleveland (Guthrie – Tomlin)

The Indians are joint leaders of the AL Central (alongside the Kansas City Royals) as we enter today’s games.  They’ve had a terrific start to the season, while the Orioles’ promising opening has given way to a five-game losing streak of late, including last night’s 8-2 loss.  Both starting pitchers are coming off decent outings.

18.05. Texas at NY Yankees (Holland – Garcia)

Yesterday’s 5-3 win for the Rangers was most notable for the Yankees hitting into/Rangers turning six double-plays.  They’re known as the pitcher’s best friend and Matt Harrison is obviously a likeable fellow after so many turned up to support him last night.  Derek Holland will hope a few have stayed around for his start today.  Freddy Garcia won the Yankees’ fifth starting spot in Spring Training and will make his first start of the season today after one relief appearance.

18.05. Milwaukee at Washington (Gallardo – Marquis)

Jayson Werth produced some extra-inning heroics in last night’s game to give the Nats a win after they had earlier let a 3-0 lead slip. Yovani Gallardo pitched brilliantly in his first start of the season, earning him my inaugural Performance of the Week award.  He then had a mediocre outing against the Cubs.  Whether they were related is open for debate.  He’ll look to bounce back today, while Jason Marquis hopes to carry on some good form from his start last Sunday against the Mets. 

18.10. Toronto at Boston (Reyes – Beckett)

Last weekend’s series against the Yankees wasn’t the catalyst that those in Beantown hoped it would be.  For all the warranted caveats (still very early in the season, plenty of talent to turn things around and go on a winning streak etc) there’s no way you can look at a 2-10 start in a positive way.  The Red Sox received a dominant display from Josh Beckett against the Yankees and they need another today.

18.10. Seattle at Kansas City (Hernandez – O’Sullivan)

If you don’t have a strong rooting interest in any of the other teams playing at this time, why not take a look at the Royals?  Yes, their promising start is likely to give way to another losing season, but they’ve got some good youngsters (with plenty more to come through) and it’s good to see the fans in Kansas City getting to enjoy some games rather than endure them.  As for the M’s, King Felix had a shocker in his recent start but his team bailed him out.  Few would deny that his teammates owed Hernandez a performance like that (in fact, a whole host of them) after the way he has pitched for them in the last couple of years without a lot of support.

18.10. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (McDonald – Leake)

Charlie Morton moved down the Reds last night, pitching a complete game with his only mistake being a solo shot by Jay Bruce in the ninth inning.  Only the White Sox have scored more runs than the Reds so far this season, so James McDonald may fear a backlash today.

21.00. NY Mets at Atlanta (Carrasco – Lowe) * ESPN America

The Mets and Braves were rained out last night, so Turner Field is hosting a double-header today.  D.J. Carrasco was set to start last night as the Mets shuffled the pitching pack after a double-header on Thursday and it looks like he will keep his starting spot in the opener today.  Derek Lowe has taken a loss in his last two starts but has pitched well all three times out so far this season. Mike Pelfrey and Jair Jurrjens will start the second game.

21.10. Minnesota at Tampa Bay (Baker – Niemann)

Here come the Rays!  They’ve won four in a row, including the first two games of this series, to lift their season record to 5-8.  Johnny Damon has led the Rays’ turnaround in recent days, launching a walk-off homer on Thursday and driving in two more runs last night.

21.10. LA Angels at Chicago White Sox (Chatwood – Floyd)

The Angels have won three straight and received a fourth strong outing in a row from Jered Weaver.  They will attempt to extend the streak to four wins with rookie Tyler Chatwood on the mound, while the White Sox counter with Gavin Floyd.  He pitched eight innings against the Rays last time out.

All of these games are available to watch live via the MLB.TV subscription at MLB.com.  ESPN America is showing the Mets-Braves game from 21.00.  The full schedule for today’s games can be found on MLB.com.