The Miami Marlins have named Sandy Alcántara their 2026 Opening Day starter against the Rockies after his strong second-half rebound in 2025.
It was inevitable, but now it's official.
Sandy Alcántara will start Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies at loanDepot park on March 26. Alcántara will pitch at 7:10 p.m. ET for the sixth time in team history.
In a team video, manager Clayton McCullough gave his ace the news, saying, "It couldn't be more fitting .... You deserve it."
Alcántara responded, "Super excited about another opportunity to be on the mound for the Marlins."
It goes beyond formality. This has a deeper meaning.
Alcántara set the Marlins' franchise record with five Opening Day starts. If healthy, this will be his sixth appearance and seventh start in a Game 1, except 2024, when he was sidelined while recuperating from Tommy John surgery.
Subtle Opening Day performances showed his dependability. According to the Miami Herald's count, Alcántara has a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings in his previous five starts. Thus far, he has 27 strikeouts and allowed 13 earned runs. His team has a 2-3 record in such games, although he rarely causes problems.
He kept a shutout through the fifth inning in a 2025 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, before exiting with a no-decision and a walk-off win. No matter the outcome on Opening Day against the Colorado Rockies, No. 22 should pitch with durability, tenacity, and composure.
The story extends beyond Alcántara taking the mound on the Friday night of March 27. This is the result of his efforts to return to this key time.
He called last season "a test." Alcántara struggled in his first 18 outings after surgery, with a 7.22 ERA. His pace fluctuated. His control slipped. He didn't look like Miami's rotation ace.
The later part told a different story.
Alcántara held opponents to a .218 batting average in his past 13 starts with a 3.33 ERA. Eight of those starts were good. He pursued hitters again. The sinker moved. The promise returned.
He called it "a tale of two seasons," and McCullough is right. Alcántara in 2025 looked more like the ace Miami wants as their rotation anchor in 2026.
This time was full of trade rumors. According to reports, the Marlins have set a high price. There was no deal. He wanted to stay with the squad.
Opening Day has gone beyond tradition. It's validation.
As the Marlins prepare to face a Rockies rotation likely led by experienced lefty Kyle Freeland, their ace.
Sandy Alcántara will pitch as the game and season begin and as this franchise defines its next competitive phase.
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