"From the moment the 30-yr old veteran right hander and 2022 Cy young Award winner first took the mound in a Marlins uniform back in 2018, you'd have thought a playoff berth was at stake. As no one reading this needs to be told, that isn't something that has actually been the case all that often for South Florida's baseball team. Yet that has never deterred Alcantara from leading by example, giving 110% day in and day out."
"As for his team, they certainly understand that games 160, 161, and 162 are going to go into the equation for who needs to be on the Marlins roster for game 1 of 2026. Yet it would also be the most human reaction in the world for a team with so many rookies to take their foot off the gas after being eliminated from the playoffs and a shot at avoiding a losing record on the season."
"As for the Marlins fans, this one needs to be all about emotion. Personally, I'm starting to really buy into the idea that Sandy will be back for Opening Day 2026. However, it would only be about the 101st time I've been wrong about what the Marlins will or won't do from a public relations standpoint. Without question, there is a real possibility this will be Alcantara's last start in a Marlins uniform...and any start that can be des"
Sandy Alcantara consistently pitches with maximum effort and will start against the New York Mets despite the Marlins' official elimination. The Marlins' remaining games will influence roster decisions for Opening Day 2026, and veterans and rookies face a final test of professionalism. A team with many rookies could be tempted to ease up after elimination, but matching Alcantara’s work ethic is important for player development. Fans should respond with emotion given the real possibility that this could be Alcantara’s last Marlins start, even though his return for Opening Day 2026 remains uncertain.
Read at Marlin Maniac
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