There are eleven early games this week; only Tuesday fails to deliver some baseball during the British evening.  All times are listed in BST.

Monday 7th – An early game to start the week.  The Royals face the Rays from 17.40, with Gil Meche and Matt Garza set to start.  Later on, Daisuke Matsuzaka is pitching for the Red Sox against the Twins, and Pedro Martinez faces the Phillies (both games starting at 00.05).

Tuesday 8th – A full slate of fifteen games, but none begin at a convenient time for us Brits.  C.C. Sabathia is currently scheduled to pitch for the Indians against the Tigers (00.05), although there are rumours suggesting he may be wearing a different jersey by then (EDIT: Jeremy Sowers will now start for Cleveland, while Sabathia should make his debut for the Brewers against the Rockies at Miller Park – first pitch: 01.05).  Another game starting just after midnight is the latest battle between the Rays and the Yankees, which is turning into a neat little rivalry (whether New Yorkers will want to admit it or not).

Wednesday 9th – Three early games today.  At 18.05, we get to witness a game from the aforementioned Rays-Yankees series.  Alternatively, you can choose to watch the Twins against the Red Sox, with Livan Hernandez and Josh Beckett being the probable pitchers.  A little later on (20.35), Scott Olsen and the Marlins face Cha Seung Baek and the Padres.

Thursday 10th – ‘Getaway’ Thursday brings us six early games.  We start at 18.05 with a battle from the AL Central, as the Twins take on the Tigers (Kevin Slowey versus Kenny Rogers), and a game between the Cardinals and the Phillies.  Five minutes later, the Giants face the Mets at Shea.  At 19.05, Jorge De La Rosa and the Rockies take on Dave Bush and the Brewers.  The Reds and the Cubs match up at 19.20, with Bronson Arroyo and Ted Lilly being the scheduled starters.  Finally, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is set to start for the Mariners against the A’s with first pitch at 20.35.

Friday 11th – One early game to end the working week/start the weekend.  Barry Zito pitched like the Zito of old in his last start against the Dodgers, striking out ten and (just as importantly) walking just one in seven innings.  EDIT: Zito’s start has been switched to Thursday, meaning Matt Cain will take the mound instead against the Cubs from 19.20.  Not a bad replacement, unless you’re a Cubs fan.

Five’s Wednesday night show begins at 01.30, while NASN’s MLB schedule for the week can be found here.