Reds vs Marlins Pick: Miami Sends Ace Alcantara to Face Cincinnati (Apr 23)

• In our Reds vs Marlins pick, we look at two teams hovering around .500 finishing their 3-game series in Miami
• Miami is trying to get its ace, Sandy Alcantara, to round into form, likely so they can maximize his value in a midseason trade
• Cincinnati has higher aspirations under first-year manager Terry Francona, and they send Brady Singer to the mound

Singer Has Struggled After a Brilliant 1st Start

Brady Singer was a marquee Reds’ acquisition over the winter. They traded former Rookie of the Year Jonathan India to the Royals to acquire him. He had a superlative first start as a Red, tossing 7 innings of 1-hit ball.

Since then, he has been up and down, giving up 3 earned runs in each, pitching 5, 5, and 4.1 innings.

Singer has only faced Otto Lopez and Jesus Sanchez of the Marlins. Sanchez is 1 for 3 with a single.

Cincinnati needs to get key bats Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jeimer Candelario, and Spencer Steer going. All are under .200. Gavin Lux has been a wonderful acquisition from the Dodgers with a batting average above .300 with an OPS close to .850.

Miami Needs To Get Alcantara Back to CYA Form

Sandy Alcantara is in his first season after Tommy John surgery, so some inconsistency is expected. However, he has been shaky in 2025. Although he is one of MLB‘s best hurlers when healthy, teams interested in trading for him at the deadline will want to see better control, command, and results.

To be fair, his ERA was blown up to 7.27 due to his last start in Philadelphia against the Phillies. He gave up 6 earned runs in 2 innings. Still, he is nowhere near his Cy Young Award-winning form.

Candelario is 2 for 3 against Alcantara with 2 doubles. Jake Fraley is 3 for 8 with a home run. Austin Hays is 1 for 6 with a home run. Lux is 2 for 5 with a double.

The Marlins are without Griffin Conine after he separated his shoulder. He was one of the few Marlins hitting consistently. Xavier Edwards has been having a solid year at the plate as are Kyle Stowers and Eric Wagaman. Javier Sanoja is batting around .340.

Reds vs Marlins Pick: Cincinnati Will Win Behind Singer and Knock Alcantara Around

The Reds have several hitters who have a good history against Alcantara. Although Singer has been up and down since his excellent first start, he will corral the Marlins in this Wednesday afternoon series finale.