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MLB 2012 start times

by Matt Smith

As we count down the days to the start of the MLB season like a five-year old dreaming of 25 December, there are lots of little moments that come along to mark the way.

One of those moments was passed on Monday as MLB announced the start times for the 2012 regular season games.

These are subject to change, but barring any weather-related postponements you can count on the times being correct for the early season fixtures at the very least.

A’s and M’s start things early in Japan

Competitive baseball will arrive earlier than usual this season thanks to a two-game series between the Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners that will be staged in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 March.

Neither team is likely to be a postseason contender in 2012 so ordinarily this match up from the AL West may not set pulses racing for fans of other teams. However, the lure of two MLB games after a long winter will prove irresistible to most and the two clubs do have some players that any fan would want to watch, not least of which being the M’s Felix Hernandez.

The two games in Japan will also create a role reversal for our friends on the other side of the pond as they will be the ones getting up early to follow the action, while we won’t need to sacrifice any sleep. However, you may need to devise ways to sneakily keep up with the action while at work/uni/college/school etc if you can’t arrange to be free of other commitments on those two days.

The first game on Wednesday 28 March is scheduled to start at 11.10 BST (6.10 a.m. Eastern Time in the States), with the second game on Thursday beginning one hour earlier.

A new era in Miami

Opening Night in the States is one week later as the Miami Marlins launch their new ballpark on Wednesday 4 April with a game against the defending World Series champions: the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is set for 7.05 p.m. Eastern Time start, making it five past midnight here in the UK.

Seven games on the ‘Opening Day’

The first day of MLB action arrives on Thursday 5 April and offers up seven games, six of which will begin before 21.05 BST. They start with the Detroit Tigers hosting the Boston Red Sox to Comerica Park (first pitch at 18.05 BST) and welcoming their new star first baseman Prince Fielder as he follows in his father’s footsteps by donning the Tigers’ uniform.

Fans of the Braves and Mets (18.10), Phillies and Pirates (18.35), Nationals and Cubs (19.20), Blue Jays and Indians (20.05), and the Reds (hosting the Marlins at 21.05) will get the chance to see their respective team’s season opener at a convenient time too. The Dodgers and Padres get their seasons underway at Petco Park at five past midnight.

Friday 6 April

Friday offers up four more pre-midnight starts, benefitting fans of the White Sox and Rangers (19.05), Twins and Orioles (20.05), Yankees and Rays (20.10), and Cardinals and Brewers (21.10). These are followed by five games later on in the night.

Saturday and Sunday

There are then 20 ‘early’ games over the opening weekend, so fans in the UK will be able to dive head first into a sea of MLB action when the season gets underway.

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