Four away from 3k

The ballpark gates aren't open yet, but the out-of-town scoreboard in right field is displaying the number 2,996, which is John Smoltz's career strikeout total. Not sure why. There is no one in the ballpark to see it (other than a few of use early-arriving scribes), and Smoltz isn't even pitching in this series. ... Going to be a hot one here, but nothing like it would be if this were, say, July. And the 4 o'clock start local time will help, as well. It's technically a day game (anything that starts before 5), but by the time it's over, the lights will be on and the sun will be setting. ... I'll check back in when (if) I have some news.