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And your Opening Day starter is...
Enter Sandy-man: Sandy Alcantara Named Opening Day Starter https://t.co/srQ0JCFE5s via @fishstripes
— Alex Krutchik (@AlexKrutchikFS) July 15, 2020
Manager Don Mattingly broke the news on the Marlins’ YouTube show “The Line Drive” on Tuesday. He discussed the decision, and afterwards, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, and Sandy Alcantara jumped on as well. Dr. Lee Kaplan, the club’s medical director and team physician, also joined in to close out the show.
- In other lineup news: Jonathan Villar has cemented himself atop the lineup to begin the season. Meanwhile, the regular defensive alignment seems to be taking shape:
This scrimmage may shed some light on what #Marlins are thinking about their regular lineup. One team has the expected starting infied: Aguilar 1B, I Diaz 2B, Rojas SS, Anderson 3B. And other team's outfield trio: Dickerson LF, Villar CF, Ramirez RF.
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) July 13, 2020
- Mr. Frisaro also points out the battle for the club’s fifth-starter role, with front-runners Jordan Yamamoto and Elieser Hernandez having pitched in Monday’s scrimmage. Nick Neidert and Robert Dugger are also in the mix.
- With Matt Joyce still not at practice, Lewin Diaz and Jesus Sanchez are possibilities for the 30-man roster to start the year.
Surprise today from Manager Don Mattingly today who says Lewin Diaz and/or Jesus Sanchez are candidates for the opening day 30-man roster. Veteran Matt Joyce has yet to practice. Mattingly says having another left-handed hitter on the roster is possible.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 13, 2020
- The Marlins will appear on national television twice this season. Both contests will be home games, the first coming August 28 vs. the Rays and the latter on September 1 vs. the Blue Jays.
- In the meantime, the Fish announced they’ll play the Braves in a couple of tune-up exhibition games just before Opening Day.
- A Marlins free agent target during the offseason, Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig is signing with Atlanta (pending physical).
- To walk ya off: For a brief moment, the Marlins were Florida’s most popular sports team.