Alcantara leads young staff that should be Marlins' strength

MIAMI (AP) — Sandy Alcantara has pitched less than 300 career innings, but the Miami Marlins are counting on him to lead a parade of talented young starting pitchers who are considered the team’s strength. The other right-handers expected to help make up the rotation include Pablo Lopez, Elieser Hernandez and Sixto Sanchez. Four pitchers are contending for the last spot. The eight pitchers have a combined career record of 36-54. Even so, the Marlins believe starting pitching can lead them back to the playoffs after they made a surprising run last year to their first postseason berth since 2003.