MLB Network Adding Day Games To Weekly Slate

In my opinion, there's nothing more relaxing than watching day Baseball during the Summer. Well unless you're an O's fan, and they're currently getting blown out by the Tigers. Anyway, the MLB Network is expanding their slate of live games with four day games during the month of August, and I couldn't be more in favor of this idea....

The MLB Network will launch a new lineup of live afternoon telecasts with Thursday's game between the Rockies and the Phillies from Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.

That telecast will also lead off four Thursday attractions, with next week's game featuring the Tigers at the Red Sox.

The new programming was revealed on Wednesday, when the Network announced its game broadcast schedule through Aug. 29.

The added Thursday afternoon telecasts will be followed by the regularly scheduled Thursday Night Baseball, treating fans to doubleheaders as the division races head into the stretch.

"Baseball is unique in that it has several weekday afternoon games," Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network noted in a statement, "and we see this as a great way for MLB Network to distinguish itself.

"We wanted to provide fans with as many live games as possible and we're looking forward to airing matchups from some of the top contenders in the American and National Leagues," Petitti added.

The debut Thursday afternoon game will precede the Red Sox at the Yankees -- who are still looking for their first win of the season over Boston following eight straight losses to their AL East rivals.

There are only three (four if you count today's) day games on the channel through the rest of August, but this should give the network some great leverage, as playoff races heat up in September. Here is the rest of the live schedule on the MLB Network through August.

Aug. 6th - Rockies @ Phillies (1pm)
Aug. 6th - Red Sox @ Yankees (7pm)
Aug. 8th - Cubs @ Rockies (8pm)
Aug. 13th - Tigers at Red Sox (1:30pm)
Aug. 13th - Astros @ Marlins (7pm)
Aug. 15th - Red Sox @ Rangers (8pm)
Aug. 20th - Mariners @ Tigers (1pm)
Aug. 20th - Diamondbacks @ Phillies (7pm)
Aug. 22th - Giants @ Rockies (8pm)
Aug. 27th - Dodgers @ Rockies (3pm)
Aug. 27th - White Sox @ Red Sox (7pm)
Aug. 29th - Rockies @ Giants (9pm)