Ace Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins look to sweep the Kansas City Royals.
Coming off a 9-6 slugfest win, the Miami Marlins look to complete a series sweep over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Eury Perez’s start was disappointing in the first inning, allowing five earned runs, but following a full 4.2-inning outing, the bullpen rallied behind him. Cade Gibson, who was credited with the win, Josh Ekness, Jack Ralston, Michael Peterson, and Calvin Faucher, who claimed a save, combined for no-hitters for the rest of the game.
The Marlins’ offense picked up, including homers slugged by Kyle Stowers, Javier Sanoja, and Jakob Marsee.
Pitching Matchup
Michael Wacha will be the first pitcher to take the mound. The 14-year major leaguer has produced a 3.32 ERA and an 8-8 record in 170.2 innings (27 starts). Wacha relies on six pitches:
- Four Seamer (27.2 percent)
- Changeup (24.9 percent)
- Cutter (14.9 percent)
- Sinker (14.2 percent)
- Curveball (10.1 percent)
- Slider (8.6 percent)
Wacha has an 81st percentile pitching run value, 70th percentile fastball run value, and a 98th percentile offspeed run value.
Meanwhile, the Marlins are starting former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. There is arguably no better option. Alcantara has produced a 3.46 ERA and a 13-8 record in a major-league-leading 189.2 innings. He relies on seven pitches:
- Sinker (27 percent)
- Changeup (20.3 percent)
- Four Seamer (18.6 percent)
- Cutter (14.8 percent)
- Sweeper (8.6 percent)
- Slider (6.7 percent)
- Curveball (four percent)
The Marlins have lost in Alcantara’s last four starts. Whether it’s inconsistent offense or him not putting batters away, both sides haven’t been on the same page lately. In Alcantara’s last start against Washington, last Saturday, he allowed eight hits and four earned runs in six innings.
It’s important for both sides to click for the Marlins to leave Kauffman Stadium with a win.
Game Notes
Ahead of Thursday’s game, the Marlins announced that infielder Leo Jimenez was designated for assignment. In 66 total appearances, he batted .199 with a .565 OPS, including 33 hits in 194 at-bats, four doubles, 14 runs batted in, and two home runs.
Corresponding with the move, infielder Deyvison De Los Santos was recalled from Triple-A.
In the lineup, left fielder Heriberto Hernandez will leadoff. The infield defense features Stowers (batting second) at first, Sanoja (batting fifth) at second, and Graham Pauley (batting ninth) at third.
How to Watch and Listen
The game will be televised on Royals.TV and Marlins.TV. For radio options, you can find the Royals broadcast on 96.5 The Fan and Royals Radio Network; meanwhile, the Marlins are on WQAM 104.3 and WAQI 710.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. E.T.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
