2025-09-18 Marlins at Rockies Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup

Sandy Alcantara takes the mound for the Miami Marlins, bringing a wealth of experience and a repertoire designed to keep hitters off balance. Alcantara relies heavily on the sinker, a pitch he throws with good velocity and substantial movement. When he drops the sinker, he often will follow that up with a sharp slider designed to tunnel off the sinker. He mixes in a changeup to disrupt timing. His ability to command the strike zone will be tested against a Rockies team that, while not known for its overall offensive prowess, does possess the capacity to capitalize on mistakes.

Tanner Gordon will oppose Alcantara for the Colorado Rockies. Gordon pitches with average velocity but gets the most out of his pitches through maximizing movement. His curveball is his best pitch and he throws it in any count. He relies on the sinker as well, but it possesses less velocity than Alcantara's, which allows hitters to sit on it. Gordon utilizes his fastball to set up the other pitches in his arsenal. Command will be key for Gordon, as he looks to navigate a Marlins lineup that has shown flashes of offensive potential.

Marlins Hitting

The Miami Marlins offense is a unit that is led by youth that has shown flashes of brilliance this year. The team's expected weighted on-base average of 0.325 demonstrates a lineup that does have a grasp on hitting for quality as opposed to power. The Marlins' overall wins above replacement of 16.1 suggests a capable, though inconsistent, offense. Facing Tanner Gordon, the Marlins hitters will look to take advantage of his pitch mix. The team will be keying in on his sinker as it has a lower velocity than other starting pitchers.

The Marlins success will be dictated by their ability to capitalize on opportunities, especially with runners in scoring position. They will need to be patient and disciplined against Gordon, forcing him to come into the strike zone and avoiding chasing pitches. Alcantara's effectiveness will depend on his ability to minimize damage and keep the Rockies from stringing together hits.

Rockies Hitting

The Colorado Rockies enter this game with an offense that has struggled to find consistency. Their expected weighted on-base average stands at 0.3, a mark that falls below the league average. The team's wins above replacement of -2.5 highlights their struggles in generating offensive value. Against Sandy Alcantara, the Rockies will need to adjust their approach. They must be aggressive early in the count, looking to jump on Alcantara's fastball before he can settle into his rhythm with his secondary pitches.

The Rockies' offensive success hinges on their ability to string together hits. Alcantara's sinker and slider combination is designed to induce weak contact and ground balls, so the Rockies hitters must focus on driving the ball in the air. Disciplined plate appearances and an ability to work deep into counts will be essential for the Rockies to disrupt Alcantara's rhythm and generate scoring opportunities. Their success will depend on their ability to put runners in scoring position and deliver timely hits.

Keys to the Game

For the Marlins, the key to victory lies in Alcantara's ability to command the strike zone and induce weak contact. If he can keep the Rockies' hitters off balance with his sinker and slider, and the Marlins offense can capitalize on Gordon's mistakes, they should be in a good position to secure a win.

For the Rockies, the path to victory depends on their ability to disrupt Alcantara's rhythm and capitalize on any mistakes he makes. They will need to be aggressive early in the count, force him to throw strikes, and string together hits. On the pitching side, Gordon must be precise with his pitches, preventing the Marlins from having a lot of runners on base.

This matchup features a contrast in pitching styles, with Alcantara relying on velocity and movement while Gordon focuses on maximizing movement. The game will likely be decided by which team can execute its offensive approach more effectively and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Marlins 6 Rockies 3