#marlins

Sandy Alcantara Tarik Skubal showdown Two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will face off against 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara in a highly anticipated matchup at Comerica Park on Sunday. The Tigers will host the Marlins at 1:40 p.m. ET, with both pitchers expected to dominate the game. Skubal, known for his elite performance, has posted a 2.31 ERA since the start of the 2024 season, ranking among the league’s best pitchers. Alcantara, meanwhile, has returned to form after a challenging 2024 season marred by a Tommy John surgery recovery, and his recent three starts have showcased his dominance with a low pitch count and high efficiency. Skubal’s reputation as a top-tier pitcher is well-established. Since 2024, he has maintained a 2.31 ERA, the lowest among qualified pitchers, and has accumulated 13.1 WAR, the highest in the league. His ability to consistently locate pitches and limit damage has made him a key asset for the Tigers. However, Alcantara’s resurgence has added intrigue to the matchup. Through three starts, the right-hander has pitched 24 1/3 innings, averaging 10.7 pitches per inning, and has posted an expected ERA of 1.36. His performance has been reminiscent of his pre-injury peak, with a career-low 4.7% walk rate and a 12.3% batting average against. Alcantara’s return to form has been remarkable, especially considering his absence from the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. After missing 571 days between MLB starts, he struggled in 2025, posting a 5.36 ERA, the third-worst among qualified starters. However, his 2026 season has seen a dramatic turnaround. His 2026 campaign has been marked by improved command, a higher ground-ball rate, and a significant drop in hard-hit balls. Batters are chasing his pitches more often, with a 45.#tarik_skubal #tigers #comerica_park #marlins #sandy_alcantara

Pitchers Boost Velocity in 2026, Raising Questions About Performance and Health The 2026 Major League Baseball season has seen a notable surge in fastball velocity, with the average four-seam fastball clocking in at 94.6 mph through early April. This marks a significant jump from the 91.9 mph average recorded in 2008, when pitch-tracking technology first became widely used. Similarly, sinkers have gained speed, averaging 93.9 mph this season compared to 90.7 mph in 2008. While velocity has long been a focal point for pitchers, the 2026 season highlights how improvements in speed are reshaping performance and health outcomes for several key players. Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ left-handed starter, has emerged as a standout example of how velocity can rebound after injury setbacks. Imanaga missed nearly two months of the 2025 season with a left hamstring strain, which led to a drop in his fastball velocity. His four-seamer averaged 90.7 mph during his final 17 starts of the year, down from his rookie season average of 92.1 mph. This decline contributed to a down year, as his fastball became his least valuable pitch, with a run value of -10. However, Imanaga has since rebounded, carrying over his Spring Training velocity bump into the 2026 season. Through April 6, his four-seamer averaged 92.2 mph, a +1.4 mph increase from 2025. The improvement has translated to tangible results. Imanaga has thrown 12 pitches at least 93 mph this season, a stark contrast to just 13 such instances in 2025. In his April 3 start against the Guardians, his fastball sat at 92.6 mph in the fifth inning, matching his pre-injury velocity. Imanaga acknowledged the importance of velocity, stating, “For me, velo isn’t everything, but obviously, having velocity is an advantage.#major_league_baseball #cubs #marlins #shota_imanaga #janson_junk

Cody Bellinger Makes Unbelievable Catch in Yankees' Home Opener The Yankees’ home opener against the Marlins on Friday featured a moment of pure athleticism and luck as Cody Bellinger made a jaw-dropping catch in the top of the ninth inning. With no outs recorded, Miami’s Xavier Edwards hit a line drive to left field, sending Bellinger sprinting toward the wall. As the ball approached, Bellinger launched himself into the air, extending his glove arm in a desperate attempt to snag the fly ball. The ball struck the bottom of his glove near his wrist and began to fall toward the ground, but Bellinger reacted instantly, sweeping his arm downward in a no-look maneuver to secure the catch. The play, which took less than a second, left the crowd in awe and showcased Bellinger’s combination of instinct and physical prowess. Bellinger’s reaction to the play was one of disbelief as he turned back toward the field, lifting both arms in celebration to the cheers of the home crowd. Despite the dramatic save, Bellinger admitted he had doubts about the initial attempt. “I definitely thought I had it from the jump,” he said after the game. “I should have caught it the first time.” He explained that he may have squeezed his glove too early, allowing the ball to drop in front of him before he managed to recover. “I just felt it kind of drop in front of me. I just got lucky. I definitely got lucky. Threw my glove out there.” The Yankees’ 8-2 victory over the Marlins highlighted the importance of clutch plays in high-stakes games, and Bellinger’s catch became a defining moment of the contest. While his words emphasized the role of luck, the play also underscored his skill as a player capable of making game-changing plays under pressure.#baseball #yankees #marlins #cody_bellinger #xavier_edwards

Yankees Announce Lineup for Tonight's Game Against Marlins NEW YORK - Following a triumphant home opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday, the New York Yankees return to their regular schedule for Saturday’s matchup at Yankee Stadium. The game, set for 7:05 p.m. ET, will feature left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers making his first home start for the Yankees. He will face right-handed starter Max Meyer of the Marlins, with the broadcast airing on YES Network. Weathers, who previously made his MLB debut with a 4.1-inning no-decision against the Seattle Mariners on April 1, will look to build on his strong performance. In that start, he allowed just one run in a 2-1 Mariners victory, marking the Yankees’ only loss in their first seven games of the 2026 season. The team’s pitching staff has been dominant, yielding only eight runs over the span, a figure that ties for the fewest allowed by any Major League Baseball team in the same timeframe. The 2002 San Francisco Giants and 1993 Atlanta Braves also achieved this feat in their respective seasons. The Yankees’ lineup for Saturday’s contest includes a mix of power and speed, with key players set to take the field in specific roles. Center fielder Trent Grisham is scheduled to lead off, followed by left fielder Cody Bellinger, who will bat third. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, the team’s most feared power threat, will occupy the fifth spot in the order. Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is penciled in for the sixth position, while shortstop Jose Caballero will bat eighth. The lineup reflects the Yankees’ strategic approach to balance offensive production with defensive positioning. The game’s context is shaped by the Yankees’ recent success, including their Friday night victory that marked the start of their 2026 season.#yankees #marlins #ryan_weathers #max_meyer #trent_grisham