Reasons to watch the free games of the week

Looking for an excuse to tune into some of MLB's free games this week -- especially the ones that air at a more convenient time? Need a few facts to throw around with friends to sound like you know your stuff? You're in luck. Here are a few quick bullet points to get you ready for the games, which you can stream on MLB.TV. (YouTube's free weekly game airs on the MLB YouTube channel or can be found here.)

We're highlighting just a few of the daily free games that air at a more convenient time across Europe, but there are plenty to check out every night all summer long.

All stats as of May 26, 2021.

Thursday May 27, PADRES AT BREWERS - 18:10 BST / 19:10 CEST

- Fernando Tatis Jr. has quickly become the face of baseball. Only 22 years old and in his third big league season, the Padres' shortstop seems to keep getting better. Tatis is displaying power (13 home runs), speed (league-leading 11 steals) and plenty of other worldly bat flips.

- The Brewers have their own superstar in outfielder Christian Yelich. Yelich won the National League MVP Award in 2018, and collected batting titles in '18 and '19, but missed nearly a month of this season due to injuries. He recently returned to the lineup and started hitting right away.

- A torrid hot streak has put the Padres back on top of the National League West entering Wednesday's action, but hold a slim 1/2 game lead over the Dodgers for first-place.

- If you like stolen bases, the Padres are the team for you. They've stolen 56 bases as a team -- 21 more than the second-place Royals.

- Brewers' closer Josh Hader is one of the most unhittable pitchers in baseball. He has allowed just two runs in 17 2/3 innings pitched, and has struck out a whopping 31 batters in that time.

Thursday May 27, PHILLIES AT MARLINS - 17:10 BST / 18:10 CEST

- The National League East is the tightest in baseball, with only three games separating the division-leading Mets and the last place Nationals. That means there will be a lot to play for between both teams.

- The Phillies' Rhys Hoskins has plenty of power. He leads the Phillies with 10 home runs and is tied for sixth in the Major Leagues with seven "no doubters" -- which are homers that would leave all 30 Major League ballparks.

- Pablo López is expected to pitch for the Marlins, which is bad news for the Phillies. López is arguably the Marlins' ace pitcher and has a 3.18 ERA and has struck out a batter per inning since the start of last season.

- Jazz Chisholm is the Marlins' breakout star this year. The shortstop has a shock of bright blue hair and is one of the few big league players in history to come from the Bahamas. He also leads the team with nine stolen bases and has even crushed two home runs off of 100-plus mph pitches.

- The Phillies are hoping to succeed despite a rash of injuries. Stars Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Didi Gregorius are all currently on the injured list. Fortunately, journeyman utility player Brad Miller has stepped in and cracked five home runs while leading the team in OPS and playing five different positions.

Sunday May 30, GIANTS AT DODGERS - 21:10 BST / 20:10 CEST

- This is one of the most historic and heated rivalries in all of sports. The Giants and Dodgers have been battling each other in the National League since both were playing their games in New York. Both left for California for the 1958 season.

- Get ready for the Mookie Betts show. Betts signed a 12 year, $365 million deal with the Dodgers last season after being traded from the Red Sox, and all he did was help the team to a World Series victory while collecting Gold Glove and Silver Sluggers Awards. The right fielder is a true five-tool player with speed, power, and great outfield defense.

- Does Buster Posey have a time machine? The former Rookie of the Year Award winner and 2012 National League MVP is having what is arguably the best year of his career at the age of 34. The Giants' catcher is hitting a career-high .351 entering Wednesday with nine home runs in just 31 games played.

- No one pitches like the Giants' Tyler Rogers, either. Rogers throws with an extreme submarine style, nearly scraping his hand on the mound during his delivery. It's working: Rogers has a 0.70 ERA in 25 games this season.

- Expect a low-scoring, tense baseball game. The Dodgers have the second-best team ERA in the Majors, and the Giants have the fifth.