After the abbreviated weekly schedule of games last week due to the All Star break, we are straight back into the action.\u00c2\u00a0 We draw a blank on Monday and Tuesday for live early games, but there’s a decent selection over the rest of the working week.\u00c2\u00a0 As always, all times are listed in BST.<\/p>\n
Monday 21st<\/strong> – No early games today.\u00c2\u00a0 The pick of the match-ups later on sees Rich Harden making his second start for the Cubs against Randy Johnson and the D-Backs.\u00c2\u00a0 The game at Chase Field begins at 02.40 in the early hours of Tuesday.<\/p>\n Tuesday 22nd<\/strong>– No early games again.\u00c2\u00a0 Later on, Joe Blanton is scheduled to make his debut for the Phillies at ten past midnight.\u00c2\u00a0 He’s got a nice, easy start against Johan Santana and the Mets.\u00c2\u00a0 Elsewhere, there’s a great pitching match-up in prospect in\u00c2\u00a0Cincinnati as Jake Peavy and the Padres take on Johnny Cueto\u00c2\u00a0(00.10).\u00c2\u00a0 The most intriguing game from the American League sees Daisuke Matsuzaka, who despite dishing out plenty of walks is having an excellent season, square off against the Mariners’ R.A. Dickey (03.10).\u00c2\u00a0 The knuckleballer has started putting together a string of good performances in what has been a demoralising season\u00c2\u00a0in Seattle.<\/p>\n Wednesday 23rd<\/strong>– This is more like it: there are nine games today that begin before 22.00.\u00c2\u00a0 We begin in Cincinnati where Bronson Arroyo pitches for the home team against Greg Maddux at 17.35.\u00c2\u00a0 Five minutes later, the A’s and the Rays begin their game with Greg Smith and James Shields set to start.\u00c2\u00a0 At 18.05 it’s the Twins against the Yankees, where Mike Mussina looks to continue his impressive ’08 campaign.\u00c2\u00a0 Two games begin at 19.05: the Pirates vs the Astros, and the Rangers vs the White Sox.\u00c2\u00a0 Five minutes later, Zack Greinke starts for the Royals as they face the Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.\u00c2\u00a0 The Dodgers and the Rockies start their game at 20.05, while John Lackey is scheduled to pitch for the Angels against the Indians from 20.35.\u00c2\u00a0 Finally, Clay Buchholz and the Red Sox take on Felix Hernandez and the Mariners with first pitch set for 21.40.<\/p>\n Thursday 24th<\/strong>– Three early games today.\u00c2\u00a0 We start at Shea where Oliver Perez looks to improve on his 6-6 season record in his start against the Phillies from 17.10.\u00c2\u00a0 Twenty five minutes later, the Blue Jays face the Orioles at Camden Yards.\u00c2\u00a0 Roy Halladay is the scheduled starter for Toronto; Daniel ‘effectively wild’ Cabrera looks to harness his excellent stuff for Baltimore.\u00c2\u00a0 The final early game is between the Nationals and the Giants, with first pitch set for 20.45.\u00c2\u00a0 EDIT:<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0There are\u00c2\u00a0now three and a half early games today.\u00c2\u00a0 The Blue Jays-Orioles game yesterday was suspended afer five innings due to rain.\u00c2\u00a0 So they will finish that one off first from 17.05 and then the Halladay-Cabrera clash will begin twenty minutes after the completion of the opener.<\/p>\n Friday 25th<\/strong> -\u00c2\u00a0Wrigley Field\u00c2\u00a0is the picturesque setting\u00c2\u00a0for an early game to end the working week.\u00c2\u00a0 The Marlins are in Chicago; first pitch is scheduled for 19.20.<\/p>\n