Marlins (Alcantara) vs Red Sox (Giolito): 8/15/25, 7:10pm

[Brandon Glick]

Sandy Alcantara: long time trade target, first time opposing pitcher (since 2023).

[mvp 78]

Sandy Alcantara isn't very good anymore. He walks too many guys and can't strike anybody out anymore. He gives up a lot of loud contact and doesn't miss bats. With how well the Sox play at home, they should beat the Marlins up pretty good today. He's basically the Marlins' version of Buehler at this point. He could throw a gem, but most likely it's a little ugly. 

[Nick]

33 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Sandy Alcantara isn't very good anymore. He walks too many guys and can't strike anybody out anymore. He gives up a lot of loud contact and doesn't miss bats. With how well the Sox play at home, they should beat the Marlins up pretty good today. He's basically the Marlins' version of Buehler at this point. He could throw a gem, but most likely it's a little ugly. 

Lets keep our fingers crossed....And for Giolito to find the strike zone.

As a side note, the Guardians have been stubborn, hanging around just outside of playoff picture. Others are fading.

[Maxbialystock]

26 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Sandy Alcantara isn't very good anymore. He walks too many guys and can't strike anybody out anymore. He gives up a lot of loud contact and doesn't miss bats. With how well the Sox play at home, they should beat the Marlins up pretty good today. He's basically the Marlins' version of Buehler at this point. He could throw a gem, but most likely it's a little ugly. 

Awful his last 2 starts in August.  However, his last 2 starts in July were pretty good--@ Cardinals, 5 IP, 0 ER and Padres, 7 IP, 0 ER.  

In June he gave up 7 ER in his last start, but in the other four starts he pitched 6, 5, 6, and 6 innings with 3, 2, 0, and 2 ER.  

The Marlins are 30-32 on the road, so they cannot be counted on to roll over.  

[mvp 78]

30 minutes ago, Nick said:

Lets keep our fingers crossed....And for Giolito to find the strike zone.

As a side note, the Guardians have been stubborn, hanging around just outside of playoff picture. Others are fading.

Now that there are 3 WC teams, it's easier for some mediocre teams to sneak in with a few hot stretches even though the overall profile looks weird. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Sandy Alcantara isn't very good anymore. He walks too many guys and can't strike anybody out anymore. He gives up a lot of loud contact and doesn't miss bats. With how well the Sox play at home, they should beat the Marlins up pretty good today. He's basically the Marlins' version of Buehler at this point. He could throw a gem, but most likely it's a little ugly. 

He does have the occasional game that reminds you just how good he was just a couple years ago…

[mvp 78]

34 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Awful his last 2 starts in August.  However, his last 2 starts in July were pretty good--@ Cardinals, 5 IP, 0 ER and Padres, 7 IP, 0 ER.  

In June he gave up 7 ER in his last start, but in the other four starts he pitched 6, 5, 6, and 6 innings with 3, 2, 0, and 2 ER.  

The Marlins are 30-32 on the road, so they cannot be counted on to roll over.  

🧹

[mvp 78]

1 minute ago, notin said:

He does have the occasional game that reminds you just how good he was just a couple years ago…

That's what I was getting at with the last few lines and comparing him to Buehler. Sox should hit him around tonight. I think people see his name and remember the pitcher than he used to be, not what he is. 

[mvp 78]

Red Sox lucked out by missing Perez and Cabrera. Junk is ok, but going against Crochet who should be a lock after his previous start. 

[notin]

43 minutes ago, Nick said:

 

As a side note, the Guardians have been stubborn, hanging around just outside of playoff picture. Others are fading.

Detroit had a horrible stretch that allowed Cleveland to climb back into the AL Central race, where they are now just 6.5 games back.  The two teams face each other 6 times in September.

 

[notin]

4 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Red Sox lucked out by missing Perez and Cabrera. Junk is ok, but going against Crochet who should be a lock after his previous start. 

Was it really luck?  Was Perez really even available?

 

Also, stop jinxing Boston! Any losses in this series are on your head!!

[FredLynn]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Red Sox lucked out by missing Perez and Cabrera. Junk is ok, but going against Crochet who should be a lock after his previous start. 

I think Giolito is going tonight.

Alcantara and Gio are finalists in the all-beard competition btw.

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

I think Giolito is going tonight.

Alcantara and Gio are finalists in the all-beard competition btw.

Gio then Bello then Crochet. Sox have a big rotation advantage this series. 

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, notin said:

Also, stop jinxing Boston! Any losses in this series are on your head!!

That's not a thing anymore ever since we took Mojo about back and gave it the Old Yeller treatment.

[FredLynn]

19 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Gio then Bello then Crochet. Sox have a big rotation advantage this series. 

Even bigger if we had our new Ace, Dustin May, out there

[mvp 78]

20 minutes ago, FredLynn said:

Even bigger if we had our new Ace, Dustin May, out there

Game 1: 3.2 IP, 4 K, 1 BB, 3 ER

Game 2: 6 IP, 8 K, 1 BB, 0 ER

Projected Game 3: 8.1 IP, 12 K, 1 BB, -3 ER

[vegasbob]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Gio then Bello then Crochet. Sox have a big rotation advantage this series. 

Crochet going on 7 day rest after the messy 4 innings in Houston.  He is definitely being managed, and understandably as he reaches new IP totals every time out.  Combined with a small loss of velo, Garrett needs to eat his Wheaties and ice his arm. 

[mvp 78]

 

[Maxbialystock]

3 hours ago, FredLynn said:

Even bigger if we had our new Ace, Dustin May, out there

😃

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, vegasbob said:

Crochet going on 7 day rest after the messy 4 innings in Houston.  He is definitely being managed, and understandably as he reaches new IP totals every time out.  Combined with a small loss of velo, Garrett needs to eat his Wheaties and ice his arm. 

Cora is managing both Crochet and Narvaez carefully and for the same reason.  

[Maxbialystock]

A heckuva lot of pregame comments on the game thread. Most this season?  

[moonslav59]

Gio needs to show his last start was just a hiccup... or not.

Good to see Cora put Abreu up 5th and Toro 7th. (Next step: replace Toro.)

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

A heckuva lot of pregame comments on the game thread. Most this season?  

Oh, not enough time before I leave for me to research that one! ⏲️🪪

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The Sox are back home against an under .500 team and it's mid August. What could possibly go wrong?

[Maxbialystock]

1 hour ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

The Sox are back home against an under .500 team and it's mid August. What could possibly go wrong?

Double reverse mojo.  

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

4 minutes ago, Maxbialystock said:

Double reverse mojo.  

Just looking back at the Sox previous recent history. Hopefully, this season won't be a case of history repeating itself like it has the previous two seasons.

[vegasbob]

40 to go. Sox need 24-16 to lock up playoffs spot. That's  a .600 win %. Slightly aggressive. 

Let's count them down,  one at a time

[vegasbob]

Can Giolito be fully ready for the 1st inning. Can he pitch well with 2 outs ?  Can he avoid walks ?  How about first pitch strikes ?

We will be looking for success in those categories 

[vegasbob]

After tonight's game. the Sox will play the majority of the remaining 39 on the road. It gets worse after Sunday.

[vegasbob]

12 minutes ago, vegasbob said:

Can Giolito be fully ready for the 1st inning. Can he pitch well with 2 outs ?  Can he avoid walks ?  How about first pitch strikes ?

We will be looking for success in those categories 

Overall a successful inning for Gio. 

18 pitches not the most efficient but no runs nor walks given. Keep it going !