There are ten early MLB games to enjoy this week,\u00c2\u00a0split over Wednesday and Thursday.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0They provide plenty of opportunities to watch some exciting young starting pitchers, from Luke Hochevar to Yovani\u00c2\u00a0Gallardo and we also might have the chance to watch Roy Halladay pitching for the Blue Jays.\u00c2\u00a0 Of course,\u00c2\u00a0that depends on whether he’s still with the club by Wednesday.<\/p>\n
All times are listed in British Summer Time.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Monday 27<\/strong><\/p>\n There are no early games today, giving you the opportunity to look back at yesterday’s Hall of Fame induction festivities.\u00c2\u00a0 The later games include the openers to two key series: Yankees vs Rays (00.08, Burnett and Shields on the mound) and Dodgers vs Cardinals (00.10, Wolf and Carpenter).\u00c2\u00a0 Josh Beckett starts for the Red Sox at Fenway against the A’s (also 00.10), Carlos Zambrano starts at Wrigley against the Astros (01.05) and Tim Lincecum takes on the Pirates at AT&T Park (03.15).<\/p>\n Tuesday 28<\/strong><\/p>\n There’s no live early action tomorrow either.\u00c2\u00a0 Scott Kazmir will face the Yankees at 00.08, while the Dodgers-Cardinals match up should be Billingsley against Wainwright (01.15).\u00c2\u00a0 Elsewhere, Mark Buehrle takes the mound for the first time since his perfect game (01.10 against the Twins), Jair Jurrjens starts for the Braves against the Marlins (00.10), the Astros-Cubs game brings together Roy Oswalt and the returning Ryan Dempster (01.05) and Dan Haren makes a start against the Phillies at 02.40.<\/p>\n Wednesday 29<\/strong><\/p>\n 19.20. Astros @ Cubs – Hampton (6-7), TBD, Our first live early games of the week are equally divided between the AL and NL.\u00c2\u00a0 The Blue Jays-Mariners game immediately stands out because it would be Roy Halladay’s scheduled start for Toronto. Whether he is still with the club remains to be seen.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n Matt Cain has been outstanding for the Giants this season and his win-loss record reflects this fact, after two seasons when that hasn’t been the case.\u00c2\u00a0 John Lackey has really hit some form of late after an injury-delayed start to the season, while Mike Hampton helped his own cause last time out by hitting his first home run since 2005.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n It’s also worth highlighting the Royals-Orioles game that is scheduled to start at five past midnight.\u00c2\u00a0 Zack Greinke is pitching for KC and Chris Tillman is expected to make his much-anticipated Major League debut for the O’s.<\/p>\n Thursday 30<\/strong><\/p>\n 17.10. Rockies @ Mets – De La Rosa (8-7), Niese (1-0), There are six early games on Thursday with a number of talented young pitchers toeing the rubber.\u00c2\u00a0 Luke Hochever struck out a career high nine batters against the Rays two starts ago and then bettered that total by four in his last start against the Rangers.\u00c2\u00a0 Tune in to see if he can top that total again.\u00c2\u00a0 Johnny Cueto has struggled a bit of late but has the talent to turn things around quickly, while Yovani Gallardo has firmly assumed the role of the Brewers’ ace.<\/p>\n The A’s-Red Sox game brings together a young pitcher who has now established himself as an impressive Major League starter in Jon Lester and a young pitcher who has found the Big Leagues tough going in Gio Gonzalez.\u00c2\u00a0 Gio rebounded from a nightmare start against the Twins on 20 July (11 earned runs conceded in 2.2 innings) with a very impressive win at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.\u00c2\u00a0 Hopefully that start will give him the confidence to fulfil the promise shown in his Minor League performances.<\/p>\n Friday 31<\/strong><\/p>\n The last day of July doesn’t bring us any early games, but the 21.00 trade deadline is sure to provide plenty of drama.\u00c2\u00a0 Will we see a repeat of last year’s Manny deal?<\/p>\n
\n20.35. Indians @ Angels – TBD, Lackey (6-4),
\n20.45. Pirates @ Giants – Duke (9-9), Cain (12-2),
\n21.40. Blue Jays @ Mariners – Halladay (11-3), Rowland-Smith (0-1),<\/p>\n
\n17.35. Royals @ Orioles – Hochevar (6-3), Bergeson (6-5),
\n17.35. Padres @ Reds – Stauffer (0-2), Cueto (8-7),
\n18.35. A’s @ Red Sox – Gonzalez (2-2), Lester (9-7),
\n19.05. Nationals @ Brewers – Martin (0-1), Gallardo (9-7),
\n19.20. Astros @ Cubs – Ortiz (3-5), Hart (2-1).<\/p>\n