Marlins’ Alcantara to start World Baseball Classic final if Dominican Republic advances
Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara will be the Dominican Republic’s starting pitcher in the World Baseball Classic final should the team advance to the championship on Tuesday, manager Albert Pujols said Sunday.
The Dominican Republic is one win away from reaching that game. It would need to defeat the United States on Sunday night in the semifinals to get to the final and contend for its second-ever World Baseball Classic title and first since 2013.
The winner of the Dominican Republic-United States semifinal will play the winner of Monday’s semifinal between Italy and Venezuela for the championship.
“Alcantara will be our pitcher no matter what,” Pujols said prior to the semifinal. “If God gives us that opportunity, if we move to the final, Alcantara will be the starter. The plan is like that. I’m not going to change it no matter what, no matter if it is Italy or Venezuela. ... I trust Sandy, and I hope to be here talking with you on Tuesday.”
Alcantara, who declined an interview request with the Miami Herald and other local media pregame Sunday, has already made one start for the Dominican Republic in the tournament. He pitched three innings in the DR’s 7-5 win over Venezuela on Wednesday, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three, to help the Dominican Republic go undefeated in pool play.
“My performance today was not my best,” Alcantara said after that game.
He also said that he would make sure he was available in any situation for his country the rest of the tournament.
“I’ll be available to start or relieve, you name it,” Alcantara said. “We are here for one cause, to represent our country, the Dominican Republic. ... I’m here.”
Realistically, pitching in the final would have been the only logical option if Alcantara were to have a chance to get extended work, which he still needs to do ahead of the MLB season.
The Dominican Republic’s 10-0 quarterfinals shutout win over Korea was on Friday, just two days after his pool-play start. The semifinal on Sunday was still just four days removed, meaning he potentially could have used the game as an extended bullpen session but not necessarily be stretched out for a full workload.
Alcantara so far has not pitched longer than three innings in a live setting this spring. The Marlins begin the season on March 27 against the Colorado Rockies, and Alcantara has already been tabbed as the team’s Opening Day starter.
The Marlins wrap up their Grapefruit League schedule next Sunday, five days before the season begins.
By Alcantara pitching on Tuesday for the Dominican Republic, should they advance, it would put him on schedule to pitch in Miami’s spring finale and then Opening Day without a break in his normal routine.
This story may be updated.
This story was originally published March 15, 2026 at 6:23 PM.
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