Lucky thirteen

After the relatively low number of early games on offer last week (just six), it’s a different story this week.  There are thirteen early games to enjoy live during the British evening, all highlighted below.  All times are listed in BST. 

Monday 4th August – No early games today.  Later on, Doc Halladay and Ryan Dempster each try to earn win number 13 on the season as they face the A’s (23.07) and the Astros (00.05) respectively.  Cliff Lee’s already passed that mark and he goes for win number 15 as the Indians take on Matt Garza and the Rays (00.10).  Joe Saunders also has fourteen wins to his name so far and he’s got a decent chance to make it fifteen against the Orioles (03.05).  With Joba Chamberlain, Clay Buchholz, Dan Haren, Jair Jurrjens and Matt Cain all pitching as well, it could be a low-scoring night.

Tuesday 5th August – One early game today and it’s the first of several this week from Wrigley Field.  First pitch is at 19.20 and you’ll want to be set to go straight away as Rich Harden is on the mound for the Cubs.  He has been little short of phenomenal since his trade from the A’s.  It’s the Astros who are going to have to find a way to beat him, while Wandy Rodriguez will head into the contest knowing he’s going to have to keep it tight to have any chance of picking up the ‘W’.

Wednesday 6th August -  Seven early games give you plenty of choice today.  We start at 17.35 as Jeff Suppan and the Brewers take on Homer Bailey and the Reds.  Five minutes later, Jeremy Sowers (who was been pitching very well recently) faces Scott Kazmir and the Rays.  At 19.20 we get the next instalment of the Astros-Cubs series, this one involving Brandon Backe and Jason Marquis.  At 20.35 it’s the Orioles against the Angels with Garrett Olson and Ervin Santana taking the mound.  Five minutes later and there’s a game between the Pirates and the D-Backs.  Jeff Karstens will start for the Buccos, looking to follow up his debut win against the Cubs last Friday.  For the D-Backs, it’s a veteran who’s won plenty of games over his career: Randy Johnson.  At 20.45, the Braves begin their game against the Giants at AT&T, facing the intimidating prospect of Tim Lincecum.  Finally, Nick Blackburn and the Twins meet Jarrod Washburn and the Mariners at SAFECO Field (21.40).  The late game on Five is scheduled to be Sidney Ponson and the Yankees against Tommy Hunter and the Rangers (first pitch is 01.05, although Five’s broadcast doesn’t begin until twenty minutes later).

Thursday 7th August – We follow up our seven-game Wednesday with four early games on Thursday.  Johan Santana starts for the Mets at Shea against the Padres (17.10) to begin the day’s action.  Just under an hour later (18.05) and there’s a game between the two teams that the Mets are fighting with in the NL East.  Chris Volstad has looked impressive in his first few Major League starts for the Marlins and he gets another chance to show his potential against the Phillies.  Another exciting rookie pitches in the next game on our list: Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers face Kyle Lohse and the Cardinals from 19.15.  In the final early game today, at 20.05, the Nationals are in Denver with starter Jason Bergmann hoping to improve his season record to 2-8 (from small acorns ….).

Friday 8th August – Just as they did seven days ago, the Cubs treat us to an early game to end the working week and it’s one of the classic rivalries in the Majors.  St Louis head to Wrigley for a three-game series, with the finale set to be the live Sunday Night Game on Five.  The probable pitchers for the opener are Braden Looper and Ted Lilly and first pitch is set for 19.20.

As noted above, Five’s Wednesday night show begins at 01.25, while NASN’s MLB schedule for the week can be found here.