Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports The Marlins will be televised nationally and also set up some pre-season games vs. the Braves. And your Opening Day starter is... Enter Sandy-man: Sandy Alcantara Named Opening Day Starter https://t.co/srQ0JCFE5s via @fishstripes— Alex Krutchik (@AlexKrutchikFS) July 15, 2020 Manager Don Mattingly broke the news on the Marlins’ YouTube show “The Line Drive” on Tuesday. He discussed the decision, and afterwards, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, and Sandy Alcantara jumped on as well. Dr. Lee Kaplan, the club’s medical director and team physician, also joined in to close out the show. In other lineup news: Jonathan Villar has cemented himself atop the lineup to begin the season. Meanwhile, the regular defensive alignment seems to be taking shape: This scrimmage may shed some light on what #Marlins are thinking about their regular lineup. One team has the expected starting infied: Aguilar 1B, I Diaz 2B, Rojas SS, Anderson 3B. And other team's outfield trio: Dickerson LF, Villar CF, Ramirez RF.— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) July 13, 2020 Mr. Frisaro also points out the battle for the club’s fifth-starter role, with front-runners Jordan Yamamoto and Elieser Hernandez having pitched in Monday’s scrimmage. Nick Neidert and Robert Dugger are also in the mix. With Matt Joyce still not at practice, Lewin Diaz and Jesus Sanchez are possibilities for the 30-man roster to start the year. Surprise today from Manager Don Mattingly today who says Lewin Diaz and/or Jesus Sanchez are candidates for the opening day 30-man roster. Veteran Matt Joyce has yet to practice. Mattingly says having another left-handed hitter on the roster is possible.— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 13, 2020 The Marlins will appear on national television twice this season. Both contests will be home games, the first coming August 28 vs. the Rays and the latter on September 1 vs. the Blue Jays. In the meantime, the Fish announced they’ll play the Braves in a couple of tune-up exhibition games just before Opening Day. A Marlins free agent target during the offseason, Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig is signing with Atlanta (pending physical). To walk ya off: For a brief moment, the Marlins were Florida’s most popular sports team.

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Weekly, we take a look around the SB Nation family of NFL blogs. Here are the news stories and analysis they are discussing. AFC EAST: New England Patriots (via Pats Pulpit) 3 reasons why Jarrett Stidham should be the Patriots’ starting QB this year - Pats PulpitThree arguments for Stidham to be the Patriots’ starting QB this season. New York Jets (via Gang Green Nation) Should the Jets Pursue a Trade for David Njoku? - Gang Green NationAlso the state of the Jets tight ends Buffalo Bills (via Buffalo Rumblings) All-22 analysis: Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen’s fumbles in 2019 - Buffalo RumblingsA critical look at Josh Allen’s case of fumbleitis AFC NORTH: Baltimore Ravens (via Baltimore Beatdown) Ravens reveal All-Time Team: Lamar Jackson beats out Joe Flacco, Derrick Mason snubbed - Baltimore BeatdownHave you ever wondered what the All-Time Team for the Ravens would look like? There are obvious answers to certain positions like inside linebacker, free safety, and left tackle, but what about the... Pittsburgh Steelers (via Behind the Steel Curtain) Steelers are probably right not to give up on Mason Rudolph yet - Behind the Steel CurtainTo say Rudolph had a roller coaster season is an understatement. Cincinnati Bengals (via Cincy Jungle) Bengals News: Joe Burrow thrives in an area Andy Dalton faltered at in 2019 - Cincy JungleWill Burrow’s insane numbers at LSU translates into an upgrade over the man he’s replacing in Cincinnati? This statistic bodes well for it. Cleveland Browns (via Dawgs By Nature) WR preview: Browns fans still love Rashard Higgins, show some support for D.J. Montgomery - Dawgs By NaturePlus, how do fans think the chemistry between Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham will be in 2020? AFC SOUTH: Houston Texans (via Battle Red Blog) Have We Seen The End Of The NFL Preseason? - Battle Red BlogIf nothing else, COVID-19 has certainly changed what "normal" looks like in the sports world. Tennessee Titans (via Music City Miracles) Titans would absolutely consider Stephen Gostkowski Patriots - Music City MiraclesPaul Kuharsky had Titans general manager Jon Robinson on last night for a fundraiser/chat. There were a few interesting things that came out of it (read the full story here), but one interesting... Jacksonville Jaguars (via Big Cat Country) Jaguars defensive line revamp key to team’s success in 2020 - Big Cat CountryThrough losses and additions, the Jaguars have changed their defensive line group, but will it be for the better? Indianapolis Colts (via Stampede Blue) Film Room: Breaking down the “Jack Doyle Play” and its use in the Colts’ offense - Stampede BlueJack Doyle is a key component to the Colts’ short yardage offense AFC WEST: Denver Broncos (via Mile High Report) Broncos coach Mike Shanahan should get inducted in the Hall of Fame - Mile High ReportAfter the news that Shanahan was selected to the Broncos Ring of Fame, the next stop should be the Hall of Fame. Los Angeles Chargers (via Bolts from the Blue) Chargers News: Roderic Teamer has been suspended for the first 4 games of 2020 - Bolts From The BlueTeamer will miss games against CIN, KC, CAR, and TB. Oakland Raiders (via Silver and Black Pride) It’s eerie how much Josh Jacobs was like Todd Gurley last season - Silver And Black PrideTo an eerie degree Kansas City Chiefs (via Arrowhead Pride) Aside from Patrick Mahomes, which Chiefs players are toughest to lose? - Arrowhead PrideWe discussed that — and more — during the Mailbag Edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory podcast. NFC EAST: New York Giants (via Big Blue View) Giants, Leonard Williams “On the same page” for 2020, per report - Big Blue ViewWill Williams be able to earn a long-term extension? Philadelphia Eagles (via Bleeding Green Nation) NFL Rumors: Brian Baldinger is hearing whispers about the Eagles making a big move this week - Bleeding Green Nation*eyes emoji* Dallas Cowboys (via Blogging the Boys) UPDATE: Article claims the Cowboys have "all but given up hope" on Randy Gregory being reinstated - Blogging The BoysAnother twist in the long sage of Randy Gregory. Washington Redskins (via Hogs Haven) Report: Redskins will wait until after season to try to sign Franchise Tagged Brandon Scherff - Hogs HavenDeadlines don't make deals happen. NFC NORTH: Green Bay Packers (via Acme Packing Company) The three best salary cap values on the Packers’ 2020 roster - Acme Packing CompanyRookie contracts are almost always good values, but these players provide more excess value than any other Packers heading into the 2020 campaign. Detroit Lions (via Pride of Detroit) Detroit Lions agree to terms with first-round pick Jeff Okudah - Pride Of DetroitThe Lions’ third overall pick will soon be under contract. Chicago Bears (via Windy City Gridiron) What NFL Agents say (and don’t say) about the Bears’ front office speaks volumes - Windy City GridironA recent article by The Athletic has several interesting Chicago Bears’ nuggets... Minnesota Vikings (via Daily Norseman) Jeff Gladney tabbed as “dark horse” Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate - Daily NorsemanBut it’s going to be a tall order NFC SOUTH: New Orleans Saints (via Canal Street Chronicles) Would the Saints benefit from or be harmed by a shortened 2020 season? - Canal Street ChroniclesThe NFL has been dragging its feet on how the 2020 season is going to look, should it end up happening. There is little to no indication that the league is looking to shorten the regular season,... Atlanta Falcons (via The Falcoholic) Falcons player profile: S Keanu Neal - The FalcoholicWe’re kicking off our Falcons player profile series with a look at the projected starters. We continue our safety preview with Keanu Neal, who enters a pivotal season on his fifth-year option in 2020. Carolina Panthers (via Cat Scratch Reader) Secondary beware: The NFC South has the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the NFL - Cat Scratch ReaderThere’s a lot of quarterback and wide receiver talent in the NFC South. Will the Panthers’ secondary be up to the task in 2020? Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Bucs Nation) Buccaneers Donovan Smith doesn’t want to risk his health playing football this season - Bucs NationThe coronavirus is causing players to think twice about playing football in 2020. NFC WEST: San Francisco 49ers (via Niners Nation) Who belongs on the 49ers’ Mt. Rushmore of running backs - Niners NationYou only get four options, so choose wisely Arizona Cardinals (via Revenge of the Birds) Production from Cardinals tight ends, specifically Dan Arnold, could significantly increase this year - Revenge of the BirdsWill Cardinals tight ends be more utilized in the passing game? Seattle Seahawks (via Field Gulls) If you want a more pass-heavy Seahawks offense, Russell Wilson needs to get hit less - Field GullsRoughly ten years ago Russell Wilson was benched by Tom O’Brien for Mike Glennon. Eventually Wilson transferred to Wisconsin, excelled, and you know the rest. Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator at... Los Angeles Rams (via Turf Show Times) Rams 10 most important players for 2020 - Turf Show TimesWhich 10, above all others, are most vital to LA’s success next season?

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images Discussing all of the Marlins Opening Day roster possibilities with real games barely a week away. Alex Contreras and Anthony “Red” Garcia give their takes on how the Marlins should trim down their 60-man player pool to a 30-man active roster. Why Monte Harrison is ready for his debut (2:25), who is set to fill the back end of the starting rotation (18:15) and how Harold Ramirez’s background has prepared him for a shortened 2020 MLB season (25:35). Then, Alex describes the unique atmosphere and procedures that he experienced covering Marlins Summer Camp (32:20). This episode’s “This or That?” segment goes around the horn picking the best candidates to play regularly at the start of the season (37:20). Stick around until the very end for Marlins BBQ trivia (44:30)! Contact Alex on Twitter with the correct answers to win some Marlins Lager. Check out Episode 3! Most fans say they’re eager to see Monte in the lineup immediately: POLL: The Marlins Opening Day center fielder will be ___— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) July 13, 2020 With a couple quality seasons already under his belt, Brian Anderson leads the way in the most desirable jersey poll: Marlins fans if you were to pick a jersey to purchase for the upcoming season which one are you getting? #MLB #305ontherise #Marlinsbbq @fishstripes @Talkbaseballtv @sandyalcantar15 @AndersonBrian01— Alex Contreras (@TheRealACoN) July 13, 2020 Shortly after the guys finished recording on Tuesday, manager Don Mattingly made the expected announcement that Sandy Alcantara has earned the Opening Day starter assignment. The All-Star right-hander becomes the youngest Marlin with that distinction since José Fernández in 2014. On deck, the fourth episode of Marlins Barbecue will drop right before the regular season gets underway. The Fish Stripes podcast is home to Miami Marlins shows Fish Bites, Earning Their Stripes and Marlins Barbecue. All new episodes are posted to FishStripes.com/podcasts. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Megaphone or wherever you normally get your pods from. Follow Fish Stripes (@fishstripes), Anthony (@Red__Garcia) and Alex (@TheRealACoN) on Twitter. Full coverage here at FishStripes.com.

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Let’s fast forward to November when the Dolphins will take on three opponents along with their bye week in week 11. Hopefully the Dolphins are also undefeated at this point in the season too! In an odd choice for scheduling, the Dolphins will face the Jets in week 10 and 12, right after the teams bye. The Rams will be making a visit to Hard Rock Stadium in week 8 while the Dolphins will have to travel the following week to take on the Cardinals. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Travis Wingfield breaks down the Dolphins' November opponents: Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals and New York JetsPart three of the Know the Enemy series looks in-depth at the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets. Dolphins Roster NFL veterans on the bubble for all 32 teams - Who could be cut during 2020 training camp?Running back Jamaal Williams, quarterback Brian Hoyer and a host of other veterans could find themselves on the chopping block before the 2020 season begins. Dolphins 2020 Season State of the Franchise: Will Flores' Dolphins break through in Year 2?Although Miami finished with just a 5-11 record last season, Brian Flores' stripped-down Dolphins played some inspired football, especially down the stretch. What's in store for the Fins in 2020? Adam Rank explores the state of the franchise. Phinsider News You May Have Missed Miami Dolphins News 7/14/20: Previewing The Dolphins Quarterbacks - The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Byron Jones: “We just want to play football. Make it happen” - The PhinsiderByron Jones is ready to take the field.