MLB Tuesday viewing guide: Game times, TV schedules
A look at the day’s MLB games, as well as where and when you can find them
Scott Cunningham
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | C.J. Wilson (0-0), 4.50 ERA, 5.83 FIP | Jarrod Parker (0-1), 7.20 ERA, 7.00 FIP | 10:05 pm ET | CSCA, FS-West, MLBN |
Last year, the A's stunned baseball by usurping both the two-time defending American League champions (the Rangers) and the team that added the best hitter and pitcher on the free agent market the previous year (the Angels). Not even five months of Mike Trout playing at otherworldly levels helped the Halos finish with a better record than Oakland. Mike Scioscia's crew will take its first step toward reversing that trend this year by sending that aforementioned best pitcher from the 2011-12 market to the mound in the home opener at pitcher-friendly Angel Stadium against Oakland.
Neither Wilson nor Parker was good during the first turn through the rotation, but Parker threw seven innings on one-run ball in an Anaheim start last year against a similar offense and Oakland's lefty-heavy lineup does not project well against the southpaw Wilson. "The Big A" looks like it will kick off the season with a pitcher's duel unless hitters like Josh Hamilton and Yoenis Cespedes snap out of their slumps.
-Andrew Mearns
National League Game of the Day
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Cliff Lee (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 1.00 FIP | Dillon Gee (0-1), 1.42 ERA, 3.63 FIP | 7:05 pm ET | SNY, PHL 17 |
It's a little strange to put a game the Mets are playing in as the main one to watch for the day, but the Amazins have won three straight while two of three of the Phillies' aces have now scuffled in back to back games. If the Phils want to turn it around, their best chance comes on the back of Cliff Lee; he's their only ace who has gotten a win for them this season.
Philadelphia's offense could only muster one run against the Mets' Matt Harvey last night, which is somewhat understandable considering the success that Harvey has had to start the season, but they'll need to find a way to do better against Dillon Gee. In theory, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Co. should be able to get the job done with Lee on the mound, but New York's John Buck is hitting with the best of them right now; if Lee struggles, the offense may not be able to recover.
-Tanya Bondurant
Other American League Action
by Andrew Mearns
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | Anibal Sanchez (0-0), 0.00 ERA, 2.80 FIP | Brandon Morrow (0-0), 1.50 ERA, 1.33 FIP | 1:08 pm ET | SNO, FOX Sports-Detroit |
Morrow’s a bit of a forgotten man in the starting rotation given Toronto’s pitching overhaul, but it’s no fluke that he pitched to a 72 ERA- last year. Sanchez, no stranger to pitcher’s parks, quickly learned how to use Comerica to his advantage after his trade from the Marlins.
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | Carlos Carrasco (0-0), 0.00 ERA, 0.00 FIP | Andy Pettitte (1-0), 1.13 ERA, 2.62 FIP | 7:05 pm ET | YES, SportsTime Ohio |
Carrasco has not appeared on a big-league mound since 2011 due to Tommy John surgery. In his first game since then, he has to match up against ageless Andy without the offensive support of Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana, who was forced from Monday's game when closer Chris Perez drilled him on the wrist. Welcome back!
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | Nick Tepesch (0-0), 0.00 ERA, 0.00 FIP | Roberto Hernandez (0-1), 5.40 ERA, 4.20 FIP | 8:05 pm ET | Sun Sports, FOX Sports-Southwest |
The Rays were infuriated after one of the worst strike three calls in the history of baseball ended last night's 5-4 loss to the Rangers with a runner on and Evan Longoria waiting on deck. Baseball does not allow for dwelling on such disappointments, so their offense will hope that Tepesch is nervous in his MLB debut; the 24-year-old is starting just his second game above Double-A.
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | Jeremy Guthrie (1-0), 1.50 ERA, 1.00 FIP | Mike Pelfrey (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 3.75 FIP | 8:10 pm ET | FOX Sports-North, FOX Sports- KC |
With a good start likely against the shaky Twins offense, Guthrie can lower his ERA since joining the Royals last July to below three. It’s only through 16 starts, but that should still calm some Royals fans upset about his three-year contract.
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | Brandon Maurer (0-1), 9.00 ERA, 7.50 FIP | Erik Bedard (0-0), 000 ERA, 1.80 FIP | 10:10 pm ET | ROOT Sports, CSN, MLBN, MLB.tv (free) |
Brandon Maurer and former Mariner Brendan Morrow need to make some kind of unspoken agreement to never pitch on the same day as the other to avoid confusion. Fangraphs writer Dave Cameron probably had the Tweet of the Night on Monday with this gem about the Astros' Rick Ankiel. Keep on fightin' the good fight, Rick.
Interleague Action
DAY | HOME SP | VISIT. SP | TIME | WHERE |
9-Apr | Gio Gonzalez (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 2.33 FIP | Jake Peavy (1-0), 1.50 ERA, 1.00 FIP | 7:05 pm ET | WCIU, MASN, MLBN |
Before he cracked the majors with the A's, Gio actually spent two separate minor-league stints as a prospect with the ChiSox, who drafted him in '04, dealt him to the Phillies as a PTBNL for Jim Thome the next year, reacquired him for Freddy Garcia a year later, then sent him packing again the following off-season in the Nick Swisher trade with Oakland.
Other National League Action
by Tanya Bondurant
Photo credit: Victor Decolongon
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Clayton Richard (0-1), 14.54 ERA, 12.92 FIP | Josh Beckett (0-1), 4.50 ERA, 6.50 FIP | 6:40 pm ET | KCAL, FOX Sports-San Diego, MLBN |
The Padres, coming off a sweep by the surprising Rockies, will need to come up with some offense to avoid having their home opener spoiled by the Dodgers. Fortunately for the Friars, Los Angeles’ new-look offense doesn’t seem to be clicking on all cylinders just yet. They’ll get the first crack at figuring it out in Petco Park’s slightly smaller dimensions.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Wade LeBlanc (0-1), 3.60 ERA, 2.20 FIP | Kris Medlen (0-1), 3.60 ERA, 4.20 FIP | 7:10 pm ET | FOX Sports-South, FOX Sports-Florida |
Both pitchers struggled at the beginning of their last start before settling in. The Braves rarely lose when Medlen is on the mound, and Justin Upton could likely carry an offense by himself right now.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Travis Wood (1-0) 0.00 ERA, 2.66 FIP | Wily Peralta (0-1), 6.75 ERA, 5.62 FIP | 8:05 pm ET | WGN, FOX Sports-Wisconsin |
Ryan Braun's return to the Brewers' lineup with three hits yesterday could be the start of a turnaround for Milwaukee, who will be trying to string together a pair of wins for the first time this season. Travis Wood was impressive in his first 2013 outing, but that came against a struggling Pirates offense. To repeat those results, he'll have to contend with the hot-hitting Norichika Aoki, who seems to be swinging at beach balls right now (13-for-31 this season).
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Lance Lynn (0-0), 9.00 ERA, 7.00 FIP | Bronson Arroyo (1-0), 4.50 ERA, 1.83 FIP | 8:15 pm ET | FOX Sports-Midwest, FOX Sports-Ohio |
The Reds took the series opener, thanks to a tremendous nine-run ninth inning to break a four-all tie. Fortunately for the Cardinals, they have David Freese back from the disabled list to provide a boost to their offense.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Brandon McCarthy (0-0), 10.80 ERA, 3.20 FIP | James McDonald (0-1), 1.29 ERA, 2.71 FIP | 9:40 pm ET | FOX Sports-Arizona+, ROOT Sports |
The Pirates got their second win of the season in the series opener after getting to Trevor Cahill in the first inning; but can James McDonald help keep Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hill, and Gerardo Parra (1-9 in the opener) in check for a second night in a row? Will Pirates catcher Russell Martin ever get a hit? Stay tuned.
Day | Home SP | Visit. SP | Time | Where |
9-Apr | Tim Lincecum (1-0), 0.00 ERA, 5.60 FIP | Juan Nicasio (1-0), 3.00 ERA, 5.50 FIP | 10:15 pm ET | CSN-Bay Area, ROOT Sports |
The Rockies have the best on-base percentage in baseball and Tim Lincecum walked seven batters in his first start of 2013. Put that together with an offense that is clicking as well as Colorado's is right now, and the Giants could put themselves out of this one early if Lincecum isn't sharp out of the gate.
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