Miami Marlins fans, players alike must show up for Sandy Alcantara tonight

The Miami Marlins might be eliminated- just don't expect staff ace Sandy Alcantara to act like it.

From the moment the 30-yr old veteran right hander and 2022 Cy young Award winner first took the mound in a Marlins uniform back in 2018, you'd have thought a playoff berth was at stake. As no one reading this needs to be told, that isn't something that has actually been the case all that often for South Florida's baseball team. Yet that has never deterred Alcantara from leading by example, giving 110% day in and day out.

So you know he's going to be bringing it against the visiting New York Mets Friday night. The only question is whether or not his fans and teammates will respond with the same now that the games themselves are suddenly meaningless.

As for his team, they certainly understand that games 160, 161, and 162 are going to go into the equation for who needs to be on the Marlins roster for game 1 of 2026. Yet it would also be the most human reaction in the world for a team with so many rookies to take their foot off the gas after being eliminated from the playoffs and a shot at avoiding a losing record on the season. It would be human...but also unprofessional, and not what the clubhouse leader will de doing. Hopefully the players behind Sandy will follow his example, and match his effort. That's part of growing up in the big leagues. Fortunately, it's something that this Marlins team has done a remarkable job of throughout the season for the most part. Now that elimination is official though, we'll consider it the final test.

As for the Marlins fans, this one needs to be all about emotion. Personally, I'm starting to really buy into the idea that Sandy will be back for Opening Day 2026. However, it would only be about the 101st time I've been wrong about what the Marlins will or won't do from a public relations standpoint. Without question, there is a real possibility this will be Alcantara's last start in a Marlins uniform...and any start that can be described as that needs to be a sellout. It must be. As already covered, Sandy has given his all to this team. The Friday start was announced almost a week in advance to allow fans plenty of time to buy tickets, or make arrangements to come. The fact that the playoffs are no longer on the table should in no way whatsoever impact attendance Friday night, and really for any game in this series. The Miami Hurricanes have a bye. The Miami Dolphins play Monday night. The New Yorkers will be out in force. Fans need to turn out, drown out the opposition, and protect the Depot.

Mostly though, Marlins fans need to come out and show some appreciation for Sandy Alcantara. His teammates need to do everything possible to get him the win.

No one has worked harder for this franchise. At the very least, everyone else can give an Alcantara type effort for an evening.