I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m reverting to publishing my \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcearly game\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 guide in a separate post this week, rather than including it in WHGB.\u00c2\u00a0 Let me know if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a strong preference for publishing this separately or not.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
We’ve got nine early games to enjoy this working week.\u00c2\u00a0 All times are in BST.<\/p>\n
No early games<\/p>\n
No early games<\/p>\n
20.35. Cincinnati at Oakland (Johnny Cueto – Vin Mazzaro)
\n21.35. Kansas City at Washington (Brian Bannister – Stephen Strasburg)<\/p>\n
After watching a transformed England side play with magical flair and ambition to beat Slovenia comfortably and qualify for the second round of the World Cup on Wednesday afternoon, you can celebrate by taking in a Stephen Strasburg start against the Royals in the evening.\u00c2\u00a0 Or it will be something to cheer us all up. Some have questioned the Nationals\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 handling of Strasburg and whether he should have been called up earlier.\u00c2\u00a0 I think the way they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve handled it has been fine, not least in making the transition to the Majors as simple as possible: facing the Pirates, Indians and Royals in three of his first four starts.<\/p>\n
17.10. San Diego at Tampa Bay (Wade LeBlanc – Matt Garza)
\n18.05. Cleveland at Philadelphia (Fausto Carmona – Joe Blanton)
\n19.05. Atlanta at Chicago White Sox (Derek Lowe – Gavin Floyd)
\n19.05. San Francisco at Houston (Matt Cain – Wandy Rodriguez)
\n19.10. Minnesota at Milwaukee (Nick Blackburn – Manny Parra)
\n20.40. Chicago Cubs at Seattle (Ted Lilly\u00c2\u00a0– Felix Hernandez)<\/p>\n
Thursday’s slate of games includes an intriguing encounter from Safeco Field as King Felix, who looked in top form against Cincinnati on Saturday, matches up against the returning Carlos Silva.\u00c2\u00a0 Looking at the schedule at the beginning of the season, most M’s fans would have expected Silva to have been cut from the Cubs’ roster by the time this series came along. Instead, he leads the Cubbies’ pitching staff in wins and ERA<\/span>.\u00c2\u00a0UPDATE: Silva has a mild hamstring strain so he will not make this start after all.\u00c2\u00a0 Ted Lilly will be moved forward to take the mound instead.<\/p>\n 21.05. Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox (Carlos Zambrano\u00c2\u00a0– Jake Peavy)<\/p>\n We end the working week, and begin the weekend, with the latest Windy City encounter and it looks like being a good one from the Cell as Lilly<\/span> and Peavy are scheduled to take the mound.\u00c2\u00a0UPDATE: As Lilly is pitching on Thursday now, Carlos Zambrano will pitch in his place.<\/p>\nFriday 25 June<\/h3>\n