Marlins' Alcantara Shines in Season Opener
Miami fans were treated to a masterclass on the mound Friday night as Sandy Alcantara delivered a performance that showcased the peak of his abilities. For Alcantara, this was a stark contrast to last year's Opening Day, where he struggled to maintain his form after a promising start.
The 2022 Cy Young winner had a solid beginning to last season against the Pirates but faltered in the fifth inning, a hiccup that haunted him after returning from Tommy John surgery in 2023. Fast forward to this year, and Alcantara's start against the Colorado Rockies was nothing short of brilliant.
Alcantara pitched seven scoreless innings, retiring nine of his last ten batters, and left the field to a rousing ovation from over 32,000 fans at loanDepot park. Reflecting on his preparation, Alcantara said, “The hard work I put in the last bullpen I threw was amazing, and today was a great result for me.”
He began the game with precision, and even when Ezequiel Tovar managed a leadoff single in the second inning, Alcantara quickly turned the tide with a double play. His ability to induce ground balls was on full display, reminiscent of his best seasons, with a 52.9% ground ball rate that mirrors his Cy Young year.
The fourth inning presented a challenge with the bases loaded due to a single, a fielding error, and a walk. Yet, Alcantara's poise never wavered.
This offseason, he added a new pitch to his repertoire-a sweeper-which he utilized 12 times without allowing a hit. Initially hesitant, he found confidence during warmups and decided to be aggressive with it.
Relievers Andrew Nardi, Anthony Bender, and Pete Fairbanks sealed the deal with two scoreless innings, securing a 2-1 victory for the Marlins.
This performance might just be a harbinger of a successful season for Alcantara, who battled through a tough first half of 2025 but found his stride later in the year. Friday's game marked only the second time in Marlins' history that a pitcher allowed zero earned runs over seven or more innings on Opening Day, joining the ranks of Kevin Brown from 1997.
Alcantara's outing is a promising start, and if he continues on this path, the Marlins could be in for an exciting season.