The schedule begins with the 2009 World Champion New York Yankees against AL East rival Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, April 6 with MLB Network’s Bob Costas and John Smoltz calling the game at 7:00 p.m. ET. This will mark the first time Smoltz, MLB Network’s newest analyst, calls a game for MLB Network. Immediately after, MLB Network will carry the Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET, rounding out a doubleheader that includes all four 2009 American League Division Series teams.

The April schedule includes the 2010 premiere of Thursday Night Baseball and Saturday Night Baseball as well as the debut of MLB Matinee, a new series of weekday afternoon games, that will continue to air on MLB Network throughout the regular season. MLB Matinee starts with the Colorado Rockies at the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 7. Thursday Night Baseball, MLB Network’s signature primetime game package, returns on April 8 with the Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves at 7:00 p.m. ET and Saturday Night Baseball begins with the Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET. A preview of the season can be viewed here. MLB Tonight, MLB Network’s live studio show during the regular season, will air every weeknight with live look-ins of games in progress, updates, highlights, reporting and analysis.

“This game schedule is one step toward our goal of adding more coverage of every MLB club in our second year on the air,” said Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. “The number of games in April is a great opportunity to bring fans more games to celebrate the start of the season.”

Highlights from the April game schedule include a 2009 ALCS rematch between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (April 13 & 15), the second game at the new Target Field as the Minnesota Twins host the Boston Red Sox (April 14) and the Tampa Bay Rays at division rivals Boston Red Sox (April 19) in Boston’s traditional Patriot’s Day game.

The Yankees at Red Sox game on April 6 and Thursday Night Baseball games will be produced by MLB Network and feature MLB Network on-air talent calling the games. All other games, including Saturday Night Baseball, will be carriage of local telecasts, including local announcers.

MLB Network will announce future MLB Matinee, Thursday Night Baseball and Saturday Night Baseball games coinciding with its selection windows. Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming.