The Miami Marlins host the Boston Red Sox on Monday, August 24 at loanDepot park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Sandy Alcantara takes the ball for Miami against lefty Ranger Suarez in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup. This is a regular season contest with real stakes — every game in August matters when you're trying to position yourself for a playoff push, and the Marlins need to protect home turf.
Probable Starters: Sandy Alcantara vs. Ranger Suarez
The headliner here is Alcantara, and whenever the big right-hander from the Dominican Republic toes the rubber at loanDepot park, Miami has a legitimate shot to win the ballgame. Alcantara has long been the cornerstone of this pitching staff, a workhorse capable of eating innings and keeping lineups off-balance with his elite sinker and changeup combination. The Marlins need him sharp on Monday night.
On the other side, Boston sends Ranger Suarez to the mound. Suarez is a crafty left-hander who changes speeds well and can be difficult to square up. He's the kind of arm that punishes undisciplined hitters, so Miami's lineup will need to work counts and avoid chasing early in the game.
Keys to Watch for the Miami Marlins
- Alcantara's command: When he's locating his sinker down in the zone, Alcantara generates weak contact and quick outs. If he struggles with his release point or leaves pitches elevated, Boston's lineup has the pop to make him pay.
- Handling a left-handed starter: Suarez will try to get inside the heads of right-handed hitters with his arm angle and pitch movement. Miami's lineup construction and plate approach against southpaws will be critical.
- Bullpen depth: Even on nights when your starter is an ace-caliber arm, the late innings decide games. How the Marlins' relief corps holds up if Alcantara exits before the seventh will matter.
- Home crowd energy: loanDepot park can be electric when the Marlins give fans something to cheer about early. Getting on the board first would go a long way toward setting the tone.
Broadcast Information
Miami fans can catch Monday's game on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, with radio coverage on WQAM 104.3 FM and Spanish-language broadcasts available on WAQI 710 AM. Boston fans can tune into NESN and WEEI 93.7 FM.
Prediction
Alcantara at home is a tough assignment for any visiting lineup, and Boston will find out why on Monday night. The Marlins' offense needs to put at least a couple of runs on the board early to take some pressure off, but if Alcantara is dialed in, Miami's bullpen shouldn't be tested until late. Expect a tight, low-scoring game that comes down to execution in the final three innings. Marlins win, 3–2.
