Some weekday evenings,*the*Stew looks at a few approaching games that will be worth monitoring on that night's dial. Feel free to discuss the schedule's happenings in the comments below.

Pirates at Padres, 10:05 ET Tonight is set to be a patriotic one as the national anthem and God Bless America will surely get a bigger response than they usually do. And as the team with the closest ties to our military, the San Diego Padres are naturally planning to lead the charge. The San Diego Union-Tribune*reports that the Friars will wear the camouflage jerseys they usually only wear on Sundays, while all past and present military members will be given two free tickets to the game by showing a military ID. Score some runs for our brave men and women while you're at it, eh Padres?

Giants at Nationals, 7:05 Washington is offering a similar promotion for its "Military Appreciation Night," which was already serendipitously on the schedule, and pitcher John Lannan says he's planning on hearing plenty of "U-S-A" chants. It's hard to believe (for two separate reasons), but the winner of this contest climbs to .500 at 14-14. *

Yankees at Tigers, 7:05 Our man Curtis Granderson has already been in the Bronx for more than a year, but an injury last year means this is the first time he'll take the field at Comerica Park in a rivals' uniform. It won't be easy for him, either as he and his team will be facing Justin Verlander.

Angels at Red Sox, 7:10: Speaking of things that aren't easy, how about the Boston having to shake off the funk of the Mariners series by facing Jered Weaver (6-0, 0.99)? His recent bout with the flu "saved" him for the Halos' first game at Fenway, but how will losing nine pounds over the past few days affect him?


Marlins at Cardinals, 8:15 Answer: First-place Marlins, NL ERA leader Kyle Lohse. Question: What are two possible outcomes after tonight's game in St. Louis?

Orioles at White Sox, 8:10 The Minnesota Twins' equally awful start has siphoned some of the shame from the Pale Hose's 10-19 start. But with the Twinkies inactive (and en route to Chicago for a midweek series of mediocrity), the White Sox's attempt at avoiding a four-game sweep by Baltimore will receive all of our attention.