After last week’s All-Star Break, we’ve got a full schedule of games in MLB this working week.

Fans in the UK can enjoy following live baseball at a convenient time on four of the five days, with only Tuesday serving up a night-game-only list of fixtures.

The action starts on Monday with a clash from the AL Central, before we get a crop of six games on Wednesday including the potential of an outstanding pitching match-up. 

Thursday offers up five early games, including another potential All-Star pitching match-up, and then it’s off to Wrigley Field on Friday as the Houston Astros head to Chicago to take on the Cubs.

All times are in BST.

Monday 18 July

18.10. Cleveland at Minnesota (Huff – Swarzak) * ESPN America

This promises to be a fascinating series from the AL Central.  As noted in my Weekly Hit Ground Ball column, the time is now for the Minnesota Twins if they are to stay in the race, while the Cleveland Indians need to push on if their surprisingly successful first half will lead to a play-off appearance.

Tuesday 19 July

No early games

Wednesday 20 July

17.35. Boston at Baltimore (Miller – Arrieta) * ESPN America
17.35. Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (Cueto – Karstens)
18.10. Cleveland at Minnesota (Tomlin – Blackburn)
19.05. Washington at Houston (Hernandez – Myers)
19.20. Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs (Worley – Dempster)
20.45. LA Dodgers at San Francisco (Kershaw – Lincecum)  

If ever we didn’t want rain-outs or rotation changes to happen, it’s in the lead up to this potential classic encounter between the Dodgers and Giants.  It doesn’t get much better than a Clayton Kershaw – Tim Lincecum match-up, so keep your fingers crossed that the plan for them to meet on Wednesday is not disrupted.

The rest of the games should all be interesting contests too, albeit with the Nationals-Astros game perhaps only being one for fans of the two respective teams.

Thursday 21 July

17.10. St. Louis at NY Mets (Westbrook – Niese) * ESPN America?
17.10. San Diego at Florida (Moseley – Vazquez) * ESPN America?
17.37. Seattle at Toronto (Fister – Romero)
20.10. Atlanta at Colorado (Hanson – Chacin)
20.35. Texas at LA Angels (Wilson – Weaver)

We move from a National League All-Star pitching match-up on Wednesday to an American League edition on Thursday.  C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver are scheduled to meet as the Rangers and Angels complete a series from the top of the AL West.  Once again, that probable pitching match-up is subject to change so hopefully the stars will align on two days in a row.

The ESPN America game will be determined by a poll on their website, so if you have a preference for either possible game, make sure to cast your vote.

Friday 22 July

19.20. Houston at Chicago Cubs (Norris – Zambrano) * ESPN America

We end the working week, and start the weekend, with a Carlos Zambrano outing for the Cubs.

All of these games are available to watch live via the MLB.TV subscription at MLB.com.  The early games being shown on ESPN America are highlighted above, while the ESPN/ESPN America schedule can be found on their website.  The full schedule for this week’s games can be found on MLB.com.