The MLB season is just getting started, but the Miami Marlins are already making waves in the NL East. Sandy Alcantara put on a clinic against the Chicago White Sox, needing just 94 pitches to secure a shutout and improve to 5-1 on the season.
Even MLB legend Roger Clemens couldn't help but take notice, sharing his admiration on social media with a simple, "More of this please."
Alcantara's performance was nothing short of masterful. He pitched all nine innings, allowing only three hits, no walks, and striking out seven.
His efficiency was on full display with just 93 pitches thrown. While the Marlins' bats were on fire, racking up ten runs, the game was a brisk affair, wrapping up in just over two hours.
Despite a minor hiccup with a hit batter in the third inning, Alcantara was untouchable, retiring 16 consecutive batters before a two-out single in the eighth. Heading into the ninth, he was still fresh, having thrown only 84 pitches, including a five-pitch eighth inning.
This shutout marks the first complete game of the MLB season and the 13th of Alcantara's career. It’s his fifth career shutout and first since 2021.
So far this season, he's pitched 16 innings with a 2-0 record and hasn't allowed an earned run. On opening day, Alcantara set the tone with a seven-inning outing against the Rockies, yielding four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts, with no earned runs thanks to an error.
Looking ahead, the Marlins are set to hit the road for the first time, taking on the New York Yankees. Alcantara is slated to start again on April 7 against the Cincinnati Reds back in Miami. If his early performances are any indication, fans should be in for another treat.