We’ve got a great day of sport today.  Staging the F.A. Cup while other fixtures are going on does take a bit of shine off it, but it’s still a cherished day in the football calendar (however much the F.A./Premier League clowns try to mess it up).  There’s a big rugby union play-off game between Leicester and Northampton, plus Andy Murray takes on Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Rome Masters.

And alongside all of that, we’ve got a bumper crop of early MLB games.  Twelve games will begin before midnight UK time and, as always, there are plenty of exciting match-ups to choose from.  All times are in BST.

18.05. Seattle at Cleveland (Bedard – White)
18.05. Florida at Washington (Sanchez – Hernandez)
18.10. Philadelphia at Atlanta (Blanton – Jurrjens) * ESPN America
20.10. San Diego at Colorado (Harang – Chacin)
21.05. Chicago White Sox at Oakland (Floyd – Ross)
21.05. NY Mets at Houston (Dickey – Happ)
21.10. Kansas City at Detroit (Francis – Penny)
21.10. Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (Karstens – Narveson)
21.10. Toronto at Minnesota (Reyes – Blackburn)
21.10. LA Angels at Texas (Haren – Holland)
21.10. St. Louis at Cincinnati (McClellan – Cueto) * ESPN America 
21.10. Baltimore at Tampa Bay (Bergesen – Davis) 

Looking at the three ‘just past six’ games, Alex White picked up his first career Major League win last time out and his Indians staged a dramatic comeback yesterday, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off winners against the Mariners.  The Marlins’ Anibal Sanchez flirted with another no-hitter in his previous start against the Nationals, while the Netherlands’ pitcher Jair Jurrjens looks to help the Braves even up their series against the Phillies.

In the ‘just past nine’ games, arguably the pick is the clash between the Cardinals and Reds, and ‘clash’ is an apt word when it comes to these two teams.  They have a genuine dislike of each other after last year’s ugly confrontations and the Reds’ starter today is public enemy number one among the St. Louis team after his kung-fu kicks left Jason LaRue with a concussion and effectively ended his career.  To say there’s “a bit of needle” between the teams doesn’t come close to describing it.  So, that should be a cracker.

Elsewhere, the Twins need another good performance from Nick Blackburn after they were shut down by Ricky Romero yesterday and fell to a 12-24 record.  And, yes, I did tip the Twins to make it to the World Series this year.

Aaron Harang has pitched well for the Padres of late and he matches up against Jhoulys Chacin and the Rockies, who has had a good start to the year too. R.A. Dickey’s knuckleball offerings are always fun to watch except if you’re the batter trying to hit them, as the Astros’ lineup may be able to note after today’s game.  Finally, Dan Haren takes the mound in an AL West battle between the Angels and Rangers.

All in all, lots to forward to.

All of these games are available to watch live via the MLB.TV subscription at MLB.com.  ESPN America’s games are highlighted above.  The full schedule for today’s games can be found on MLB.com.