Looking to finally put an end to a season-high eight-game losing streak, the Miami Marlins turn to their ace Sandy Alcantara to take on the Houston Astros on Wednesday. 

Alacantara will make his 22nd start of the season, and his second career start against Houston. The Astros handed Alcantara a loss on Aug. 4, 2025, as he gave up six runs on nine hits over seven innings while striking out five in an 8-2 defeat.

In his previous start, Alcantara recorded his MLB-leading 15th quality start, allowing one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out seven and walking four against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 17. The right-hander has logged eight starts of at least seven innings this season, putting him in elite company.

Entering the MLB All-Star Break, Alcantara was coming off a strong stretch in which he on every start from June 1 through the Fourth of July. He leads big league pitchers in 136 2/3 innings pitched this season, something he hasn’t done since winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2022. Historically, he has been even better after the All-Star break, with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 71 career post-break starts.

Alcantara is tied with Ricky Nolasco for 110 career quality starts, which are the most in franchise history. He recently became the Marlins' all-time strikeout leader on June 23, surpassing Nolasco's franchise record. He now owns 1,038 career strikeouts and became the fifth active Dominican-born pitcher to reach the 1,000-strikeout milestone earlier this season.

The Marlins may be struggling but not without flashing some power. Miami has hit a home run in six-straight games, dating back to July 12. The Marlins have collectively homered through six straight games three times this season. The Marlins have hit more home runs (104) this season at this point than any other year dating back to 2017. 

Marlins National League All-Star SS Otto Lopez continues to lead MLB in hits (130), batting average (.332), multi-hit games (41), and doubles (27). He is only four hits away of tying his career-high of 134 hits, which he set last year. 

Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernández enters Wednesday with an 14-game on-base streak. Over this span, he is slashing .320/.393/.720 (16x50) with five doubles, five home runs, eight RBI, and six walks.

The Marlins have lost some key bullpen arms recently. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told reporters that John King (ankle sprain) has returned to throwing to hitters and a minor league rehab assignment may not be required for him returning. 

“We’ll get him back very soon,” McCullough said. 

Anthony Bender (shin stress reaction) threw from 75 feet lately but it may take a little more time before he returns to the bullpen. McCullough said the Marlins are “cautiously optimistic that he’ll be able to ramp things up.”

Another bullpen arms, Josh Ekness, will begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday. 

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