Can Sandy Alcantara and the Marlins win the series finale?

Will the Miami Marlins win the finale of the three-game series against the Chicago Cubs tonight from Marlins Park at 7:10 PM?

The Miami Marlins have managed two runs and 13 hits in the first two games of the series against the Chicago Cubs. Can the ball club, who sends Sandy Alcantara to the mound tonight, final the finale of the series before a day off on Thursday?

The odds on a win tonight from Marlins Park don’t look good as the Cubs pitchers have been able to hold Miami’s bats at bay. Alcantara hopes to improve on his last outing where he gave up six runs in five innings and displayed inconsistency issues that the team dealt with last season.

When the 23-year-old has been good this season, he has been very good. But the team’s coaching staff needs for him to find a rhythm and continue to pitch with power. The difference in the first game of the season for Alcantara and his second time on the mound was hesitation.

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He attacked hitters when he faced the Colorado Rockies. Even manager Don Mattingly eluded to the idea that Alcantara was a bit tentative against the Philadelphia Phillies and it cost him and his teammates.

The lineup faces a familiar foe in Cole Hamels, who has logged 66 innings of work against Miami. The 35-year-old has a 3.14 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 10 starts against the home team.

Miami has to find ways to score. Hitting is still an issue for Mattingly’s club. The pitching staff is still going through growing pains. The bullpen is still feeling the effects of the 14-inning marathon from Sunday.

News and Notes: The Marlins have removed Austin Dean from the team’s top 30 prospects list. In his place is pitcher Tommy Eveld.

"According to his scouting report, “His size and the extension in his delivery create deception that helps his fastball play above its 92-97 mph velocity. He gets swings and misses with a cutter/slider that climbs into the upper 80s, while his changeup is a work in progress.”"

The team added Victor Mesa, Jr earlier this season when Alcantara’s name was taken off the list of top minor league prospects.

Also, the team still has hopes for shortstop J.T. Riddle to rejoin the parent club this season. Riddle was sent to Triple-A New Orleans to get in his at-bats and to continue to work on his swing. Riddle was batting .160 for the season. Miguel Rojas was named the team’s everyday shortstop.

Will the Miami Marlins win the finale of the three-game series against the Chicago Cubs tonight from Marlins Park at 7:10 PM?

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