This is a quick one: the strike date is set for August 30th. Does this mean that, if the teams do strike, they will play up to and including games on the 30th and then walk out on the 1st? Or will they walk out on the 29th, meaning the strike would start on the 30th? Thanks.
“Strike date” generally means “the date the strike begins on”, meaning “the day everything grinds to a halt”, which in this case would be August 30, not August 31 (which is what comes after August 30th–not September 1st. 
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http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,5613581_52,00.html
To be precise, the players have set a strike date, but they have not authorized a strike. That would require a second vote. However, it is believed that would be a formality.
Starting the strike on a Friday, normally the day of the first game of a weekend series, allows players to go home after Thursday’s games instead of first traveling to the next city. A strike date prior to September 1 gives a break to minor-leaguers who otherwise would be called up to the big leagues on that date, only to find themselves out of work without income that they need much more than the regulars do. I take that choice of date as a sign that the players’ union expects a strike, and a long one.
I believe the players are expected to travel to the cities of the 8/30 games. If there is a strike, they will have to pay their own way home, but they are expected to go to the cities in case there is no strike.