Marlins rough up old friend Ryan Weathers, but bullpen implodes

NEW YORK — In the two previous Miami Marlins losses of 2026, observers could recognize early what the outcome would be. Saturday night followed a much different script, as a 4-0 lead suggested that they were firmly in control midway through the game. Alas, largely capitalizing on their visitor's inability to find the strike zone, the Yankees scored nine runs over their final four trips to the plate in a series-clinching victory.

A Marlins bullpen that had been fantastic during the club's opening homestand has plummeted back to earth. Andrew Nardi, Anthony Bender, John King, Calvin Faucher and Michael Petersen combined to throw more balls (47) than strikes (45) in relief of Max Meyer.

"Credit to them," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said complimenting New York's offense. "They really got a really good approach and are very stubborn with what they're looking for. They showed that and did a good job or working some good at-bats with what we know are some really good pitchers that we have."

Close friends Meyer, Weathers equally underwhelming

This was supposed to be the main storyline of the game, right? Marlins teammates from 2023-25, Meyer and Ryan Weathers are both under the microscope, as the former tries to preserve his spot in the starting rotation and latter tries to ingratiate himself to a new organization that holds itself to the highest standard. Another interesting twist: Meyer describes Weathers as "one of my best friends last year," so he was excited to see their pitching schedules align this way.

Weathers started the night on an impressive note, striking out unorthodox leadoff man Austin Slater on three pitches. However, from that point forward, a Marlins lineup that generally stunk against left-handed starters in 2025 founds its spark.

With two outs in the first inning, Heriberto Hernández caught up to a 99 mph fastball and drove it to the right-center gap for a two-run triple.

The Marlins stretched their lead to 3-0 in the next inning with an assist from the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system. Slater was initially called out on strikes to end the top of the second, but the 3-2 pitch was overturned to ball four after review. That set up an Agustín Ramírez RBI single.

It was an inefficient outing for the talented left-hander, throwing 88 pitches in just 3 ⅔ innings.

Meyer held the Yanks scoreless entering the fifth, but that was misleading. He allowed baserunners in all but one of his innings and never really found his rhythm.

The bottom of the third was particularly adventurous. The first two batters reached base in front of Aaron Judge, who punished a middle-middle changeup with a 112 mph exit velocity. Fortunately for Meyer, it was directed to center field, so 387 feet later, Jakob Marsee had room to run it down for a long, loud out. Later from the frame, with the bases loaded, Meyer fell behind 3-0 in the count to Giancarlo Stanton, but rallied back to induce an inning-ending popout.

More notes and takeaways 

- The Marlins had nine more hit than the Yankees (15 to six), but their baserunners totals were very similar due to all of the free passes. Going back to Friday's game, the Fish have tied a franchise record by issuing 21 walks in a two-game span.

- Agustín Ramírez wasn't gun shy after carelessly getting picked off late in Friday's game. He showed good awareness in the fourth inning, taking third base on Jakob Marsee's single when he noticed that the base was unoccupied. An errant throw allowed him to score on the play. At the plate, he went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, raising his season wRC+ to 131.

- In the second inning, Leo Jiménez recorded his first hit as a Marlin, a soft, well-placed grounder off of Weathers. He added another infield single in the sixth.

- Speaking of Weathers, let's do a brief check-in on the prospects who the Marlins acquired in exchange for him. Outfielders Brendan Jones (.750 OPS) and Dillon Lewis (.250 OPS) and infielder Dylan Jasso (.833 OPS) have each begun 2026 with Double-A Pensacola. High-A infielder Juan Matheus went 0-for-4 with four walks in the Beloit Sky Carp's season-opening doubleheader on Saturday.

Sunday's series finale is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET, but inclement weather in the forecast puts that start time and the game itself in jeopardy. If they're able to play through the raindrops, the starting pitchers will be Chris Paddack (Marlins) and Max Fried (Yankees). While Paddack was shelled for eight runs (all earned) in his season debut, Fried owns a shiny 0.00 ERA on the heels of back-to-back scoreless starts.