The Miami Marlins will start the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner on Opening Day.
The Fish announced that ace hurler Sandy Alcantara will take the mound for the team’s first game of the season. Miami will battle Max Scherzer and the vaunted New York Mets to open the 2023 season.
“Congrats Cy Sandy, well deserved! Let’s show up for @sandyalcantar22 as he becomes the first pitcher in franchise history with 4 consecutive #OpeningDay starts.”
Congrats Cy Sandy, well deserved!
Let’s show up for @sandyalcantar22 as he becomes the first pitcher in franchise history with 4 consecutive #OpeningDay starts. https://t.co/5rOTQv6054 // #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/6nvS6FJ4cE
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 24, 2023
So not only will Alcantara take the ball first for the Marlins this season, but he will also make history. No pitcher in club history has ever made four consecutive Opening Day starts. The Marlins haven’t been short on great arms either in their history, so it’s quite the feat for him to undertake.
Last season, after a few budding years, Alcantara roared onto the scene. He led Major League Baseball in innings with 228.2, a season after recording 205.2 innings pitched. He led in complete games with six as well. Alcantara posted a 2.28 ERA with 207 strikeouts and just 50 walks.
All of that led him to win the NL Cy Young Award unanimously. All 30 voters for the NL Cy Young named him first on their ballots.
It will truly be a battle of aces in Miami to begin the season. While we can’t imagine the atmosphere will be like the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park, it still might be pretty fun.
