Marlins' Sandy Alcantara Set to Face Cubs in Miami: A Pitching Duel Awaits

First Inning

As the Marlins prepare to host the Cubs at loanDepot Park, all eyes will be on the mound. The Marlins' ace, Sandy Alcantara, has been a formidable force in recent games. His performance against the Rays was particularly impressive, where he pitched with an ERA of 1.8 and a WHIP of 0.8 over his last outing. Alcantara's ability to strike out batters is evident with a K/9 rate of 10.8, making him a key player to watch in the opening innings.

On the other side, the Cubs will rely on their pitching staff to counter Alcantara's dominance. Colin Rea has shown promise with an ERA of 1.688 and a WHIP of 1.125 in his recent game against the White Sox. His control and precision could set the tone for Chicago as they aim to challenge Miami's batting lineup early on.

Middle Innings

The middle innings will likely see some strategic plays from both teams' hitters. For the Marlins, Jesús Sánchez stands out as a consistent performer in center field with solid defensive stats and a batting average of .333 from one of his recent games against Tampa Bay. His ability to get on base with an OBP of .6 makes him a potential threat for driving runs during these crucial innings.

Meanwhile, Pete Crow-Armstrong is expected to lead the charge for the Cubs offensively. With an impressive OPS of 2.2 and batting average of .800 from his last game against the White Sox, Crow-Armstrong has proven he can deliver under pressure situations.

Late Innings

As we approach the late innings, relief pitchers will play pivotal roles in maintaining or shifting momentum for their respective teams. Calvin Faucher from Miami has been exceptional out of the bullpen with an ERA and WHIP both at zero across his appearances against Tampa Bay, showcasing his ability to keep opponents off balance.

For Chicago, Brad Keller's recent performance highlights his reliability as well; he boasts an ERA of zero and WHIP also at zero while striking out batters at a rate of nine per nine innings pitched.

Conclusion

This upcoming matchup between Marlins and Cubs promises excitement as both teams bring their top performers into play at loanDepot Park in Miami on May 20th at 6:40 PM ET (broadcasted on MARQ). With standout players like Sandy Alcantara leading Miami’s defense alongside Jesús Sánchez’s offensive prowess facing off against Pete Crow-Armstrong’s explosive hitting capabilities backed by strong pitching from Colin Rea – fans are guaranteed an engaging baseball showdown! Don’t miss this thrilling contest – share your thoughts about who you think will shine brightest!