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Sandy Alcantara questions Marlins' decision to end bid for back-to-back shutouts in 9th inning

· Yahoo Sports

At the risk of cliché, let’s borrow the title of a classic Western film to go through Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara’s start on Tuesday.

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The Good was the first eight innings, when Alcantara ran through the Cincinnati Reds like a buzzsaw and extended his season-opening scoreless streak to 24 innings. He was at only 82 pitches entering the ninth inning, putting him in position to become the first MLB player to post back-to-back shutouts since 2015.

The Bad was the ninth inning, when Alcantara allowed a one-out double to Reds second baseman Matt McLain then walked Elly De La Cruz to put the tying run on base. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough pulled him at 95 pitches and watched the Reds tie the game against reliever Anthony Bender, then win the game 6-3 in the 10th inning.

It was a quick hook for Alcantara, which triggered boos from fans at loanDepot Park.

The Ugly was what came after the game, when Alcantara sent a pretty clear shot McCullough’s way about the decision to pull him while speaking with reporters.

Via Fish on First’s Kevin Barral:

“I feel like I deserve to be asked how I feel before getting taken out of the game. This an area where I get to 95 pitches and a righty on deck, it is what it is. Just got to get ready for my next outing.”

In response to a different question, he emphasized he would like the ability to make the case to stay in the future:

“I’m just a player. I understand there’s a decision that you cannot control. It just happened … I think next time they have to make sure to ask me before taking me out of the game.”

Not exactly what you want to hear from a player who already raised eyebrows last week by calling out a lack of attendance at his start.

Even though he was forced to settle for a no-decision on Tuesday, it’s hard to argue any pitcher in MLB has had a more impressive start than Alcantara. He began the season with seven scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies, then shut out the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

His line on Tuesday against the Reds: 8 1/3 innings, 3 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. His ERA is now 0.74 in 24 1/3 innings.

Sandy Alcantara has been ace so far in 2026. He also doesn't appear too happy.Carmen Mandato via Getty Images

It’s not the highest degree of difficulty given his opponents, but that’s still everything the Marlins should want to see for a pitcher who looked like the best in baseball back in 2022. He has struggled with injuries since then, undergoing Tommmy John surgery in 2023 and posting a career-high 5.36 ERA in his return last season. He was facing a make-or-break season in 2026 and seems to be doing the former.

If Alcantara is once again looking like an ace and also signaling unhappiness in Miami, that’s going to trigger more than a little trade speculation. That’s an area where Alcantara is already well-versed.

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