"The only things that could have topped this would have been a Sandy-Tariq Skubal duel next weekend or perhaps a chance to bounce the Mets from the playoffs during the season's final homestand. However, the schedule math and the standings look to make both of those very unlikely. So instead it is this upcoming Saturday afternoon showdown, live from loanDepot Park, between the last two Miami Marlins Opening Day starting pitchers that steals the show."
"And if Marlins history is any guide, what a show it should be. For Miami might be 2-5 against the Philadelphia in 2025. They might be 244-291 against them all time. But when two former Marlins Opening Day starting pitchers square off? Fans are often enough treated to a pitcher's duel, and almost always treated to a Marlins victory. It's an obscure metric to be sure."
"The only thing crazier than the fact this event has happened that many times for the Marlins is just how long it has been since the last time it happened. That would be June of 2012, when Josh Johnson outdueled Josh Beckett in a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The Marlins have had 8 different Opening Day starters since that time, with only Alcantara remaining with the organization. Viewed in that light, it's quite the drought."
A Saturday matchup at loanDepot Park will feature Sandy Alcantara against Jesus Luzardo, the last two Miami Marlins Opening Day starters. Miami has a 15-5 record when both starting pitchers were once Marlins Opening Day starters, and such matchups often produce pitchers' duels and Marlins victories. The most recent occurrence of this pairing type was June 2012, when Josh Johnson beat Josh Beckett 4-1. The Marlins have used eight different Opening Day starters since then, with only Alcantara still in the organization. Five of those eight starters are no longer in the majors due to mediocrity, injury, or tragedy.
Read at Marlin Maniac
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