MIAMI -- Skenes vs. Alcantara. Need we say more?

Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes will counter 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara in arguably the best Opening Day pitching matchup on Thursday afternoon at loanDepot park, where Pittsburgh and Miami will begin the season with a four-game series for the second straight year.

Entering year six of the Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton era, the focus in Pirates camp this spring centered around winning. The roster is unquestionably deeper than it was a few years ago, but now the question has become whether they can improve upon the 76-win total they’ve posted in each of the past two years.

Coming off a 100-loss campaign, the Marlins have heavily invested in the front office as they embrace innovation throughout all facets of the organization. New manager Clayton McCullough and his coaching staff are tasked with developing one of the Majors’ youngest rosters while remaining competitive in the tough NL East division.

When is the game and how can I watch it?
The Pirates’ broadcast can be watched on SportsNet Pittsburgh, and the Marlins’ broadcast can be watched on FanDuel Sports Florida. It will also air on the radio in Miami on 940 WINZ (English) and 710 AM WAQI (Spanish) and in Pittsburgh on KDKA FM 93.7.

What are the likely lineups?
Pirates: We can take a good guess about which players will be in the Pirates’ Opening Day lineup, but the order is a tougher task. Tommy Pham has taken plenty of reps up in the leadoff spot, but Andrew McCutchen was the team’s primary leadoff hitter a year ago. First base will likely be by committee until Spencer Horwitz returns, with Jared Triolo and Endy Rodríguez being two likely candidates.

1. Andrew McCutchen, DH (R)
2. Bryan Reynolds, RF (S)
3. Oneil Cruz, CF (L)
4. Joey Bart, C (R)
5. Nick Gonzales, 2B (R)
6. Jared Triolo, 1B (R)
7. Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B (R)
8. Tommy Pham, LF (R)
9. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS (R)

Marlins: Shortstop Xavier Edwards is the indisputable leadoff batter. After him, Miami plans to utilize lefty/righty platoons or matchups against certain pitchers. With the right-handed flamethrower Skenes on the mound and outfielder Jesús Sánchez injured, the Marlins could insert both left-handed corner-outfield bats Griffin Conine and Kyle Stowers into the lineup. Third baseman Connor Norby is also out, making way for one of Jonah Bride, Eric Wagaman or Graham Pauley depending on how the Marlins want to construct their bench.

1. Xavier Edwards, SS (S)
2. Jonah Bride, 3B (R)
3. Matt Mervis, 1B (L)
4. Eric Wagaman, DH (R)
5. Griffin Conine, RF, (L)
6. Derek Hill, CF (R)
7. Kyle Stowers, LF (L)
8. Otto Lopez, 2B (R)
9. Nick Fortes, C (R)

Who are the starting pitchers?
Pirates: Skenes is the reigning National League Rookie of the Year and one of the preseason favorites for Cy Young this year, and that quest begins with his first Opening Day start. The 22-year-old ace of the rotation struck out 23 over 18 innings in Grapefruit League play this spring while recording a 2.50 ERA.

Marlins: Ace Alcantara will make his highly anticipated return from October 2023 Tommy John surgery for his franchise record fifth Opening Day start. The 29-year-old Alcantara appeared to be in Cy Young form during Spring Training, allowing no earned runs in 12 1/3 Grapefruit League innings and averaging over 98 mph on his four-seamer.

How might the bullpens line up after the starter?
Pirates: Shelton has declined to name a closer this spring, but has sung the praises of David Bednar, who held that role until September of last year. Colin Holderman and Dennis Santana should join Bednar as the team’s main leverage arms. Justin Lawrence was an intriguing pickup from the Rockies this spring, and a trio of southpaw relievers signed as free agents this winter: Caleb Ferguson, Tim Mayza and Ryan Borucki.

Marlins: Right-handers Calvin Faucher, Jesus Tinoco, Anthony Bender and Lake Bachar found success in high-leverage situations after being thrust into them following the club’s post-Trade Deadline makeover last season. Expect McCullough to mix and match among that group. What the bullpen lacks is a proven southpaw, with Andrew Nardi nursing lower back inflammation. Anthony Veneziano has just 14 career MLB outings on his resume.

Any injuries of note?
Pirates: Pittsburgh is still awaiting word on how long Jared Jones will be out after he experienced right elbow discomfort late in camp. Horwitz underwent right wrist surgery shortly before Spring Training started, and while he has made progress and is nearing a return to action, he won’t be ready to play this series. Johan Oviedo (lat, Tommy John) is on the shelf for the early portion of the season, as is Dauri Moreta (Tommy John surgery).

Marlins: A quartet of starting pitchers -- right-handers Edward Cabrera (blister) and Eury Pérez (Tommy John surgery), as well as left-handers Ryan Weathers (mild left forearm flexor strain) and Braxton Garrett (Tommy John surgery) -- will begin the season on the IL. So will reliever Declan Cronin (left hip soreness), Sánchez (left oblique strain) and Norby (left oblique strain). Cabrera is expected to miss two turns through the rotation, while Weathers, Sánchez and Norby hope to be back by the end of April. Pérez is projected for an All-Star break return. Garrett will be out the entire season.

Who’s hot and who’s not?
Pirates: Endy Rodríguez was the Pirates’ hottest hitter this spring, finishing with a .290 batting average and .966 OPS. Starter Andrew Heaney found his rhythm eventually after signing mid-spring, but finished with a 9.49 ERA in Grapefruit League play.

Marlins: Conine finished Grapefruit League play on an eight-game hitting streak, with two doubles, one homer and five RBIs. Mervis went hitless over his last 18 Grapefruit League at-bats, including 12 strikeouts, but he homered and walked in Tuesday's exhibition win over the Yankees.

Anything else fans might want to know?
• National Football League Hall of Famer Dan Marino will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Miami Dolphins selected Marino 27th overall in the 1983 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.

• GRAMMY-nominated artists Luis Fonsi and Flo Rida will perform on the field during a live postgame concert. Flo Rida is a Miami native.

• Pittsburgh holds a 124-104 advantage in the all-time series, and is 22-17 at loanDepot park since it opened in 2012. The Pirates swept the 2024 season series, seven games to none.

• The Marlins are 12-20 on Opening Day, having lost four in a row and nine of their past 10. The club is 10-13 in season openers held in South Florida.

• The Pirates are 3-2 on Opening Day under Shelton, having won the past two, including a 6-5 win over the Marlins last season.