These are the 5 story lines to watch as the Marlins prepare for their 60-game season
The Miami Marlins begin the shortened, 60-game 2020 season April 24 with a three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Here are five story lines to watch in a Marlins season expected to be filled with uncertainty as the sport carries on amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Can Sandy Alcantara turn into a true ace?
Sandy Alcantara is the Marlins’ 2020 Opening Day starter, a result of his strong finish to the 2019 season and his dedication to keep improving during the offseason.
The Marlins know he has another level to his game. On pure stuff alone, Marlins manager Don Mattingly believes Alcantara could rival the likes of the Nationals’ Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, the Astros’ Justin Verlander and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw.
“Those are the kinds of guys that he can become,” Mattingly said. “But he has to progress to get there.”
Alcantara posted a 2.73 ERA (21 earned runs in 69 1/3 innings) over his final 10 starts of the 2019 season, striking out 58 batters while walking just 18 in that stretch. He had seven quality starts, defined as giving up no more than three earned runs while pitching at least six innings.
The question remains: Can he replicate that type of consistency over a full season, with the pressure riding on him?
Mattingly and the Marlins are hoping so.
“The ace needs to be ‘that guy,’” Mattingly said. “Out of that guy, you want to know what you’re going to get. When he pitches, your team should feel like you’re going to win. You know that he’s going to give you a good outing.”
So ... that schedule
The Marlins’ condensed schedule is the toughest out of all 30 teams based off winning percentages from last year. Of the Marlins’ 60 games, which are solely against the National League East and American League East, 52 come against teams that had a winning percentage of at least .500 in 2019. That’s 86.7 percent of their games, the highest in MLB history since the Divisional Era began in 1969, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Six of their eight games against teams with sub-.500 records from 2019 — all four against the Baltimore Orioles and two against the Toronto Blue Jays — are within the first 18 games, setting the stage for a challenging final two-thirds of the season.
“We know it’s going to be a battle,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “Whatever that schedule is, we’ll be ready to go when the bell rings.”
Prospect watch
The Marlins’ overhauled minor-league system finally sees the bulk of its top players on the cusp of making their MLB debuts.
But which ones are most likely to get their shot in 2020, when the season is only 60 games and a year of team control is on the line?
Outfielder Monte Harrison seems like the safest bet among position players. The Marlins’ No. 9 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline likely would have been called up late in 2019 if not for a pair of wrist injuries.
Also contenders: outfielder Jesus Sanchez, first baseman Lewin Diaz and shortstop Jazz Chisholm.
Among pitchers, Nick Neidert is the closest starting pitcher to being MLB ready. Top prospects Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera, both practicing in Jupiter, could also be candidates. Alex Vesia, the club’s No. 27 overall prospect, is also a contender to work out of the bullpen.
How will teams adapt to change?
No fans. Social distancing. No spitting (that includes saliva, tobacco and sunflower seeds). Social distancing. No leaning on the dugout railing. Social Distancing. No high fives, butt smacks, finger licking or arguing with umpires (or opposing players or teammates). Did we mention social distancing?
The game will very much be the same, but a slew of small protocols put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic add to a lot of new ways teams and players will have to prepare each game day.
“Baseball’s a game of adjustments,” pitcher Jordan Yamamoto said. “We’ve got to figure out a way to adapt and change to the circumstances. That’s what we’re all trying to do here.”
Can the Marlins really be contenders?
On paper, it’s a tough road for the Marlins this season.
But with 60 games compared to the normal 162, a lucky break here or there and a sudden hot streak could possibly put the Marlins in position to be a dark horse for the playoffs.
The team is oozing with confidence that spilled over from a strong showing in spring training. They’re rallying around a “Why not us” mantra.
“We’re going to surprise a lot of people this year,” Alcantara said. “... You’re going to see what we’ve got.”
Whether they live up to the hype they’re creating for themselves will come in due time.
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