Sandy Alcantara isn’t remotely afraid of Marcell Ozuna

Sandy Alcantara is not fearing Marcell Ozuna

The Miami Marlins might’ve been burned for trading away Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, JT Realmuto, and Marcell Ozuna, but the prospects they netted in exchange for those studs have helped Miami make a miracle run to the NLDS. However, they will have to take on the Atlanta Braves in this series, meaning that Ozuna, who is hitting .338 with an NL-best 18 home runs and 56 RBIs, stands in the way of an NLCS birth.

Alcantara, who has already been named the starter for Game 1, isn’t fearing Ozuna and the Braves, claiming he would strike out his own father if he was on the Braves in this game.

Sandy Alcantara is starting to turn into an ace for the Marlins

Alcantara was the prize in the deal that also netted Miami Zac Gallen and Magneuris Sierra from the St. Louis Cardinals. After posting a 3.88 ERA and making an All-Star game at the age of 23 last year, Alcantara posted a 3.00 ERA in seven 2020 starts while striking out 39 batters in 42 innings. With a fastball that sits in the upper 90s and a wicked slider that serves as his strikeout pitch, Alcantara’s first All-Star appearance last year is likely not going to be his last.

Alcantara will start Game 1 against Ozuna, Freddie Freeman, and the Braves. Pablo Lopez and his 3.61 ERA will take Game 2, while rookie sensation Sixto Sanchez and his triple-digit heater will get the ball in Game 3.

If the Marlins are to pull off the upset, they need to rely on a banged-up starting pitching staff that has somehow carried them this far despite a lineup lacking in star power. Alcantara might be blossoming into an ace, but he could reach full bloom ahead of schedule if he shuts down the Braves in this series.