What to expect from the Miami Marlins’ two exhibition games against the Atlanta Braves
After two and a half weeks of practices and intrasquad scrimmages, the Miami Marlins are finally set to play someone other than themselves for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic stopped spring training in mid-March.
The Marlins travel to Atlanta on Tuesday for a pair of exhibition games against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday and Wednesday before facing the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday to begin the 60-game 2020 season.
These two games serve as the only opportunity for either team to get into live game situations against another team prior to the season. The rest of the three-week summer camp session solely consisted on intrasquad scrimmages and practices.
“You just think that guys are ready,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “They just want to go. You try to prepare and prepare and finally, that gate comes open.”
Here’s what you need to know about the exhibition games.
When do the games start?
Tuesday’s game at Truist Park is scheduled for a 7:10 p.m. first pitch. The Wednesday game is slated to begin at 4:10 p.m.
Will the games be televised?
Yes. Fox Sports Florida will televise both games live. Both games will also be available on the Fox Sports Go app and at FoxSportsGo.com.
Marlins play-by-play announcer Paul Severino and color analyst Todd Hollandsworth will call the games remotely from Marlins Park, just like they will for road games during the 2020 season.
940 WINZ will also carry radio broadcasts of the games, with Glenn Geffner and Dave Van Horne on the call. Like Severino and Hollandsworth, Geffner and Van Horne will cover road games from Marlins Park.
Who will be the Marlins’ starting pitchers?
Jose Urena is scheduled to start on Tuesday with Pablo Lopez getting the ball on Wednesday. This keeps them in line to start the third and fourth games of the regular season.
And while Mattingly didn’t announce the full rotation (“I don’t want to really announce it. I want to let people keep working on that,” he said), these announcements set the table for how the five starting pitchers will be run out.
Sandy Alcantara is the Marlins’ Opening Day starter and will go on Friday against the Phillies. Caleb Smith would be the logical starter Game 2 of the season Saturday with Urena on the mound in the Phillies series finale Sunday and Lopez starting the home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday. Elieser Hernandez should round out the rotation.
How many players will travel to Atlanta?
The Marlins will be bringing more than just their projected Opening Day roster to Atlanta.
Mattingly said he didn’t have an exact number, but noted the Marlins will “definitely need extra players.” Most regulars will be going a maximum of seven innings in the exhibition games.
“We’ll be taking a couple of guys from Jupiter and most of our guys from here,” Mattingly said. “We’re going through the roster today and having conversations with guys. Getting closer.”
The Marlins have until noon Thursday to set their active roster for Opening Day, which can contain up 30 players. Team will carry a three-player taxi squad to road games as well in case of injuries.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 12:23 PM.
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