Not-yet-too-damn-Hotlanta

Here’s an indication of how tough the Marlins’ division is going to be this year: Of the six teams in the bigs that won five of their first seven games, half were in the National League East. One of those teams was Florida, and another, Atlanta. Now, there’s still a ton of ball to be played. But barring some implosions, the Marlins and Braves will be right there in the thick of it when you tune back in after Labor Day.

The year’s first Braves-Marlins game for South Florida hits at that perfect time of year: before hurricane season turns every evening outing into weather Russian roulette; before Chipper Jones pulls up lame; before the Marlins perform their traditional September tank job. Load up on those gut-buster nachos at 7:05 p.m. at Dolphin Stadium.
Mon., April 23, 7:05 p.m.