Thursday MLB viewing guide: Game times, TV schedules
A look at the day’s MLB games, as well as where and when you can find them
USA TODAY Sports
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
11-Apr | Jason Vargas (0-0, 1.59 ERA, 2.77 FIP) | A.J. Griffin (1-0, 3.00 ERA, 5.29 FIP) | 10:05 pm ET | CSCA, FOX Sports- West, MLB.tv (free) |
Even though they have Mike Trout and Josh Hamilton this time around, the Angels have started 2013 at an AL-worst 2-6, a worse start than 2012. It's ominous, as the Angels' April performance last year likely cost them a playoff spot. To avoid getting embarrassed and swept in their first home series, the Halos will call on their prize from the Kendrys Morales trade, Jason Vargas. Jered Weaver's injury makes Vargas's early success almost imperative with the rest of the rotation (even C.J. Wilson) full of question marks.
Fortunately, Vargas has strong career numbers both at Angel Stadium (2.27 ERA in seven starts) and against the A’s (.206/.261/.329 triple slash). The Angels cannot play as poorly against Griffin as they did in his one start against them last year, when he shut them out on six hits in eight innings in Anaheim. A road sweep of the Angels would give the A’s an eight-game winning streak already. Is Oakland up to its division-winning tricks from last year?
-Andrew Mearns
National League Game of the Day
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
11-Apr | Jason Marquis (0-1), 3.00 ERA, 7.62 FIP | Zack Greinke (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 1.23 FIP | 10:10 pm ET | PRIME, FOX Sports- San Diego |
This might be the Game of the Day only because most of the league is taking the day off, but hey, Zack Greinke is pitching, and that's worth tuning in for. Greinke was impressive in his first start as a Dodger, despite lingering concerns over the well being of his elbow. Good pitching makes for good television, and it doesn't seem like San Diego's lineup should give Greinke too many problems if he is on his game.
Jason Marquis has pitched well in Petco Park (over a small sample size, of course), but containing Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez is a tall order for any pitcher in any park. Marquis may have been saved a little in the past by the cavernous ballpark, and it could be quite a long day for him playing for the first time inside the new dimensions against the hot Dodgers hitters.
-Tanya Bondurant
Other American League Action
by Andrew Mearns
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
11-Apr | Doug Fister (1-0), 5.40 ERA, 7.31 FIP | Josh Johnson (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 4.78 FIP | 1:08 pm ET | RSN, FOX Sports-Detroit |
With Detroit smack dab in the middle of a threatening storm forecast for today, this game might not even be played. Hopefully, this very even pitching matchup isn’t washed away.
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
11-Apr | Zach McAllister (0-1), 3.00 ERA, 2.12 FIP | Phil Hughes (0-1), 6.75 ERA, 1.11 FIP | 7:05 pm ET | YES, SportsTime Ohio, MLBN |
They were rained out yesterday, and the forecast in Cleveland for tonight does not look much better. That could be problematic since the Yanks don’t visit Cleveland again for the rest of the season, though that might make Ichiro happy.
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
11-Apr | Alfredo Aceves (0-0), 10.38 ERA, 8.19 FIP | Chris Tillman (0-0), 12.27 ERA, 7.75 FIP | 7:10 pm ET | MASN, NESN, MLBN |
Only a year ago, Yankees fans bemoaned the fact that Brian Cashman cut Aceves after 2010 for nothing. Those fans have moved on to complain about other things now, and regardless of opponent, a pall of fear strikes Fenway whenever “Ace” takes the mound.
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
11-Apr | Felix Hernandez (1-1, 2.57 ERA, 3.11 FIP) | Justin Grimm (2013 debut) | 10:10 pm ET | Fox Sports-Southwest, ROOT Sports |
Enter the topsy-turvy world where the Mariners are favored over the Rangers, although after struggling for runs in two of the past three games against the likes of Philip Humber and Brad Peacock, maybe we should not be so optimistic.
Interleague Action
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
11-Apr | Dan Haren (0-1, 13.50 ERA, 14.36 FIP) | Dylan Axelrod (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.11 FIP) | 7:05 pm ET | CSN, MASN2 |
The Nats have to be hoping that they were fooled and that the guy on the mound five days ago, bombed by the Reds for four homers, was a Haren imposter.
Other National League Action
by Tanya Bondurant
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
11-Apr | Scott Feldman (0-1), 7.71 ERA, 4.59 FIP | Ryan Vogelsong (0-1), 8.44 ERA, 2.00 FIP | 2:20 pm ET | CSBA, CSN |
Both starters are looking for redemption after disappointing starts to 2013. The Giants are rolling offensively right now and shouldn’t have much trouble keeping that going today.
See More:
