Marlins match best 10-game span in franchise history

[Ely Sussman]

Clayton McCullough managed with an urgency to win on Saturday night and got the desired result. The Miami Marlins placed their most impactful offensive weapon atop the starting lineup, even with their usual leadoff hitter playing as well; the least-established arm in their rotation was kept on a short leash; and soon after taking a lead over the Texas Rangers, they deployed their best reliever and most athletic defenders. It still got extremely dicey at the end, but when the final out settled into Dane Myers' glove, the Marlins celebrated victory for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

If Miami's late-September surge falls short, they will regret the numerous instances earlier in the season when the weakest links on the roster were put in positions to fail (and repeatedly did). It's refreshing to see competitiveness take priority over player evaluation at this point.

Adam Mazur and Jack Leiter had comparably vanilla outings through four innings, and the contest was fittingly tied at 2-2. But even on the heels of playing 12 strenuous innings the night before, McCullough called upon his bullpen right there. Mazur had thrown only 63 pitches. On the other hand, the Texas lineup was about to flip over for the third time.

The Rangers stuck with Leiter into the sixth inning. Troy Johnston and Connor Norby made them regret that decision with back-to-back home runs, which put the Fish in front, 4-2.

While he did not directly factor into the game's run production, it's worth noting that leadoff hitter Jakob Marsee worked Leiter for 18 pitches across three plate appearances. This was the first time all year that Xavier Edwards (who batted third) started a game someplace other than the No. 1 spot.

Cade Gibson picked up only the ninth win by a Marlins left-handed pitcher this season. He was helped out by a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play that ended the bottom of the sixth inning.

These 2025 Marlins have struggled to control the opposing running game more so than any other team in franchise history, but it's been a different story recently. Just three runners have even attempted to steal against the Fish over the last eight games, with only one of them being successful.

Ronny Henriquez is wrapping up his breakout campaign by pitching as well as ever. For the 18th time in his last 19 appearances, he didn't allow any earned runs. On Saturday, he was brought in with two outs in the seventh and the tying run at the plate. After cleaning up that mess, he stayed in to strike out the side in the eighth.

Calvin Faucher's 15th save of the season may have been his worst in terms of pitch execution. Faucher surrendered a leadoff homer to catcher Kyle Higashioka and very nearly a walk-off homer to Joc Pederson, which got just far enough inside that Pederson pulled it 399 feet foul down the right field line. Only 13 of the right-hander's 28 pitches landed for strikes, but to his credit, the victory was sealed on a 99 mph fastball that he dotted on the outside corner for a harmless flyout.

Entering the final eight days of regular season baseball, Miami's "elimination number" stays at three—that is the combination of Marlins wins and Mets losses needed to officially take them out of the National League Wild Card race. With the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants boasting better records as well, the Marlins' chances of actually making it to October are a mere fraction of one percent.

Regardless, they are sprinting to the finish line in impressive fashion. The Marlins, notoriously, have never had a winning streak of double-digit games, which means by going 9-1 lately, they have matched the franchise's best-ever 10-game span.

Eury Pérez is the Marlins' probable starter for the series finale at Globe Life Field. Sunday's first pitch will be at 2:35 p.m. ET.

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[MarlinzDude86]

Man, it feels good to be a Marlins fan this season. I want consistency though. Even if they don't make the playoffs next season, at least be close to .500 again. We do need our first division title at some point, and next season could be it if the starting rotation is healthy.

[One Regend]

5 hours ago, Ely Sussman said:

If Miami's late-September surge falls short, they will regret the numerous instances earlier in the season when the weakest links on the roster were put in positions to fail (and repeatedly did).

I'm pretty sure none of us are going to remember the many times the Marlins insisted on rolling a below-replacement level Matt Mervis for a good 1/3 of the season when they think about why the Marlins fall short. I'm sure most fans here will remember that embarrassing homestand where the Marlins got swept by the Colorado Rockies, at a time when the Rockies were on pace to post a 130-loss season.

But you do raise a good point that some players have been repeatedly put in positions to fail. In fact, they're STILL being put in a position to fail. Seriously, why is Agustin Ramirez STILL playing defense at Catcher?

I don't think the Marlins will make the postseason, but I'm curious to know how close they will end up. If it's within 2 games, then everyone will look back at that Rockies series.

For me, if we don't make it, the next best thing is to see the Mets miss the playoffs. Dear god their collapse has to be rivaling the '07 Mets because that is the funniest chokejob I have ever seen.

[Miami Italiano]

Maybe if they didn't lose all those games to the dumpster fire Nationals, it would be a different story

[Hippyboi]

Losing Stowers hurt

[1993 fan from start]

2 hours ago, Miami Italiano said:

Maybe if they didn't lose all those games to the dumpster fire Nationals, it would be a different story

not just them other loses during the season also

[1993 fan from start]

 Xavier Edwards  move in the lineup like wanted.  but did not matter cause Agustín Ramírez spot. if I was a manger of team I would not be afreid to pitch to  Jakob Marsee or walk him. with Ramírez behind him.    Xavier Edwards diffrent storie.

[1993 fan from start]

If Miami's late-September surge falls short, they will regret the numerous instances earlier in the season when the weakest links on the roster were put in positions to fail (and repeatedly did). maybe some what true.  But I do think earlier in season game was moving to fast for them.   and was more pitching problems then now.

[Shawn]

There not making the playoffs, if they finish 3 games under it was a great season. I do think back to a lot of missed chances this season like letting Simpson give up 8 in a tie game in the ninth, or just the misuse of the bullpen all year. It does seem like there moving in the right direction though and there’s hope for next year. Keep Sandy to anchor the rotation and be a veteran presence, cut wagamen and move Gus to first. Then playoffs are in the cards next year. 

[Hippyboi]

Agree on the bullpen, especially bring Simpson into high leverage situations

I'd keep working with Gus at catcher in the off season. If we don't see progress try him at first base in the spring with DH as his backup slot.

Mack behind the plate will be a huge upgrade and Alderman is raking at Jax.

I hope they bring back Troy Johnston at 1B.