Major League Baseball has announced that the Marlins and Braves will be playing in the leadoff spot this week. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday—as well as Friday and Saturday, if necessary—their games will have the earliest start times of any Division Series matchup.
Although it’s ordinarily a proud distinction to be “first” in baseball, that is not applicable here. Quite the opposite: this MLB scheduling decision reeks of disrespect and incompetence.
There are million of sports fans in the United States who likely won’t be available to watch any substantial piece of the Marlins-Braves NLDS, including die-hards rooting for the teams directly involved.