Early MLB games this week: Back to normal

After the All-Star break last week, we’re back to the standard MLB regular season format.  There are twelve early games during the working week, spread out over Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and they feature twenty-one of the thirty teams. 

All times are listed in British Summer Time (BST). 

Monday 20 July

There are no early games today, but the later games offer some interesting pitching assignments. 

Jonathan Sanchez makes his first start since pitching a no-hitter against the Padres ten days ago.  He will match up against the Braves’ top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson at midnight.  At 03.05, the Marlins take on the Padres at PETCO Park with Rick van den Hurk listed as the probable starter.  The Dutch pitcher injured his elbow during the World Baseball Classic and this would be his first Major League start of the season.  Another player making his return from the DL is Jason Schmidt, who looks set to make his first start since June 2007 against the Reds at 03.10.

Tuesday 21 July

We draw a blank again tomorrow.  The later games include scheduled starts by Derek Lowe (midnight against the Giants), Rich Harden (00.05 against the Phillies), Cliff Lee (00.07 against the Blue Jays), and the intriguing sight of Sergio Mitre making his debut for the Yankees against the Orioles at 00.05.

Wednesday 22 July

17.35. Brewers @ Pirates – Suppan (5-7), Maholm (6-4)
18.05. Orioles @ Yankees – Berken (1-7), Burnett (8-4)  
18.05. Cubs @ Phillies – Zambrano (6-4), Moyer (9-6)
20.10. D-Backs @ Rockies – TBD, Jimenez (7-9)
20.35. Marlins @ Padres – Nolasco (6-7), Geer (1-5)
20.35. Twins @ Athletics – Perkins (5-5), Cahill (5-8)

The first live early baseball of the week brings us six games to enjoy.  A.J. Burnett and Carlos Zambrano are the stand-out pitchers and don’t overlook the Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez. He struck out ten batters in his last outing and those nine losses to his name are balanced out by a 3.82 ERA.

Thursday 23 July

17.37. Indians @ Blue Jays – TBD, Rzepczynski (1-1)
18.00. Giants @ Braves – Zito (5-10), Kawakami (5-7)
18.05. Mariners @ Tigers – Washburn (7-6), TBD
19.05. Rays @ White Sox – Kazmir (4-5), Buehrle (10-3)

Will Roy Halladay still be with the Blue Jays come Thursday?  No one knows for sure, but we do know that Marc Rzepczynski should be on the mound regardless (Halladay would be scheduled to pitch on Friday).  He gained his first Major League win against the Red Sox on Saturday, giving those of us watching six innings to learn how to pronounce his name (zep-zen-ski).

Elsewhere, the Giants-Braves game brings together two pitchers who performed well last time out only to be lumbered with tough-luck losses.  Mark Buehrle has been in brilliant form of late, while Scott Kazmir left his last start with tightness in his left forearm so there’s a doubt over whether he will take his turn.

Friday 24 July

18.05. White Sox @ Tigers – TBD, TBD
19.20. Reds @ Cubs – TBS, TBD

We end the working week with two early contests in which both teams in Chicago are represented.  The south-siders are in Detroit playing the first game of a double-header against the Tigers and, if they stick to their rotations, that should be a mouth-watering clash involving Jose Contreras and Edwin Jackson.  The north-siders are at Wrigley taking on the Reds, possibly with Kevin Hart and Johnny Cueto on the mound.

All the above games can be followed via various resources on MLB.com (Gameday, Gameday Audio and MLB.tv), while ESPN America’s MLB schedule can be found here.