We have twelve early MLB games\u00c2\u00a0to enjoy over the coming\u00c2\u00a0working week.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s\u00c2\u00a0a decent return; however\u00c2\u00a0they are grouped together into two\u00c2\u00a0days, leaving three live-baseball free evenings.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0That might not be a bad thing though.\u00c2\u00a0 Just arrange all your other activities, chores and commitments for Monday, Wednesday and Friday,\u00c2\u00a0and completely set aside\u00c2\u00a0Tuesday and Thursday\u00c2\u00a0for MLB action.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Simples’, as the meerkat in the adverts likes to say.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/p>\n
As always, all times are listed in British Summer Time (BST).<\/p>\n
Monday 4<\/strong><\/p>\n It may be a Bank Holiday Monday here in Britain, but it’s a normal working day in the States.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s part of the reason why there are no early games today.\u00c2\u00a0 Later on, the Red Sox and Yankees face each other for the first time in the new Yankee Stadium, with Jon Lester and\u00c2\u00a0Phil Hughes\u00c2\u00a0set to start.<\/p>\n Tuesday 5<\/strong><\/p>\n 17.35. Astros @ Nationals – Oswalt (0-2), Olsen (1-3), There are six early games tomorrow.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s hard to ignore a Tim Lincecum start and his battle against the Cubs’ batting lineup should be an exciting contest.\u00c2\u00a0 Roy Oswalt is still without a win in 2009 and he will fancy his chances of breaking his duck against the Nationals, while Matt Garza will be hoping to bring his ‘Red Sox killer’ form into a game where he isn’t facing a team with a Boston B on their caps.<\/p>\n Wednesday 6 Thursday 7<\/strong><\/p>\n 17.10. Braves @ Marlins – Jurrjens (2-2), Sanchez (1-3), It’s another six-pack on ‘getaway’ Thursday and\u00c2\u00a0west coast teams dominate the schedule.\u00c2\u00a0 We start on the east coast as Dutch pitcher Jair Jurrjens takes the mound for the Braves against the Marlins.\u00c2\u00a0 Moving across the US, we then travel to the beautiful PNC Park where the Pirates host the Cardinals and the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City provides an eye-catching backdrop to the Royals-Mariners match.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n Matt Cain and Jason Marquis battle the altitude in Colorado, while Dan Haren and Chris Young toe the rubber in the pitcher-friendly expanses of PETCO Park.\u00c2\u00a0 Finally,\u00c2\u00a0a home game against the Rangers\u00c2\u00a0could be the perfect opportunity\u00c2\u00a0for Trevor Cahill to earn his first Major League win.\u00c2\u00a0 This A’s fan will be cheering him on.<\/p>\n Friday 8<\/strong><\/p>\n No early games to end the week, but several key weekend series will begin in the early hours of Saturday.\u00c2\u00a0Most notably, the Braves are in Philadelphia, the Rays are in Boston, the Cubs are in Milwaukee, the Royals are in Anaheim and the Giants are in LA.<\/p>\n
\n17.37. Indians @ Blue Jays – Reyes (1-0), Cecil (-),
\n19.20. Giants @ Cubs – Lincecum (2-1), Marshall (0-1),
\n21.08. Orioles @ Rays – Uehara (2-2), Garza (2-2),
\n21.40. Rangers @ Mariners – Padilla (1-2), Bedard (2-1).<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>
\nWednesday has been good to us in recent weeks, but there are no early games this time around.\u00c2\u00a0 Highlights from the later games include: Kevin Slowey attempting to improve his record to 5-0 in the Twins’ game against the Orioles, the Rays taking on the Yankees, Carl Pavano making a start (pending an injury developing beforehand) against the Red Sox, Jake Peavy facing the D-Backs at PETCO Park and the Giants’ Randy Johnson meeting the Rockies with career win number 298 in his sights.<\/p>\n
\n18.40. Cardinals @ Pirates – Ohlendorf (3-2), Wellemeyer (2-2),
\n19.10. Mariners @ Royals – Washburn (3-1), Bannister (2-0),\u00c2\u00a0
\n20.10. Giants @ Rockies – Cain (2-1), Marquis (4-1),\u00c2\u00a0
\n20.35. D-Backs @ Padres – Haren (3-3), Young (2-1),\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0
\n20.35. Rangers @ Athletics -\u00c2\u00a0McCarthy (3-0), Cahill (0-2).<\/p>\n