The Miami Marlins are set to defend their home turf and extend a three-game winning streak as they welcome the Detroit Tigers to loanDepot park for a Saturday afternoon matchup that’s drawing plenty of attention across the baseball world. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EDT, and with both teams eager to shift their late-season momentum, fans are in for a compelling contest.
Miami, currently sitting third in the National League East with a 69-79 record, has found some late spark, especially at home. The Marlins’ recent surge has been fueled by a mix of timely hitting and resilience, and they’ll look to keep that energy rolling against a Detroit squad that has been a force in the American League Central. The Tigers, boasting an 84-64 record, are clinging to the top spot in their division and have shown they can win on the road, racking up a 38-35 away record so far this season.
The pitching matchup features two right-handers with something to prove. For Detroit, veteran Charlie Morton gets the nod. Morton comes into the game with a 9-10 record, a 5.59 ERA, and 142 strikeouts. While his numbers might not jump off the page, Morton’s experience in big moments can’t be discounted. Janson Junk will toe the rubber for Miami, carrying a 6-3 record and a 4.48 ERA, along with a tidy 1.18 WHIP and 64 strikeouts. Junk’s ability to limit walks and keep hitters off balance has been a bright spot for the Marlins during the second half of the season.
Oddsmakers have weighed in, with BetMGM listing the Tigers as slight favorites at -131, while the Marlins are home underdogs at +110. The over/under for total runs sits at nine, suggesting that both lineups could get their licks in against starting pitching that’s had its ups and downs. Will the Marlins’ bats stay hot, or will the Tigers’ offense roar back to life?
Let’s dig into the numbers that have defined these clubs. Miami is hitting .250 as a team, good for ninth-best in Major League Baseball, and they’ve managed a 35-41 record at home. Otto Lopez has been a steady contributor, slashing .248/.314/.373 with 18 doubles, 14 home runs, and 72 RBIs. He’s also shown some speed, swiping 13 bases in 19 attempts and crossing the plate 61 times. Xavier Edwards has provided another spark, batting .280 with three home runs, 39 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases, while scoring 73 runs. Joey Wiemer has been hot of late, going 10-for-33 with two doubles and three homers in his last 10 games.
On the Tigers’ side, their offense has been powered by some big names and bigger bats. Spencer Torkelson leads the way with 26 doubles, a triple, and 28 home runs, providing pop in the heart of the order. Dillon Dingler has chipped in with a .378 batting average over his last 10 games, including a double and two home runs. Gleyber Torres, a new addition to the Tigers’ lineup, is slashing .258/.364/.395 with 15 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 74 runs scored. Riley Greene has been a revelation, hitting .269 with 34 home runs—ninth in MLB—and 108 RBIs, which ranks fifth in the league. His .835 OPS and 80 runs scored make him a constant threat every time he steps into the box.
Both teams come into this matchup with identical 4-6 records over their last 10 games. The Marlins have posted a .251 batting average and a 5.63 ERA in that stretch, but they’ve been outscored by nine runs. Detroit, meanwhile, has hit .252 with a 5.73 ERA, but they’ve managed to outscore their opponents by five runs during the same span. That’s baseball for you—sometimes the stats tell a different story than the standings.
Injury concerns are mounting for both dugouts as the long season takes its toll. For the Marlins, a slew of key contributors are sidelined, including Valente Bellozo (tricep, day-to-day), Freddy Tarnok (ankle, 15-Day IL), Connor Norby (quad strain, 10-Day IL), Derek Hill (hamstring, 10-Day IL), and Edward Cabrera (elbow, 15-Day IL). The list continues with Anthony Bender, Tyler Zuber, Ryan Gusto, Dane Myers, Graham Pauley, Kyle Stowers, Jesus Tinoco, Max Meyer, Griffin Conine, Andrew Nardi, and Braxton Garrett all on the injured list for various ailments. That’s a tough pill to swallow for Miami, which has had to dig deep into its organizational depth.
The Tigers aren’t faring much better on the health front. Javier Baez is day-to-day with a head injury, and Tarik Skubal is nursing a side issue. Other notable absences include Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck, 15-Day IL), Beau Brieske (forearm, 60-Day IL), Kyle Finnegan (abductor, 15-Day IL), Matt Vierling (oblique, 10-Day IL), Paul Sewald (shoulder, 60-Day IL), Reese Olson (shoulder, 60-Day IL), Sean Guenther (hip, 60-Day IL), Jackson Jobe (flexor, 60-Day IL), Jason Foley (shoulder, 60-Day IL), Alex Cobb (hip, 60-Day IL), and Ty Madden (shoulder, 60-Day IL). With so many regulars sidelined, both managers will be forced to get creative with their lineups and bullpen usage.
So, what does all this mean for Saturday’s showdown? The Marlins, with their backs against the wall and a home crowd behind them, have every incentive to keep their streak alive and play spoiler to a Tigers team eyeing postseason glory. Detroit, meanwhile, knows that every win counts as they try to fend off challengers in the AL Central. The fact that the Tigers have gone 60-13 in games where they’ve scored at least five runs bodes well for their chances if the bats wake up early.
Fans can catch all the action streaming on Fubo or tune in via FDSFL and FDSDET. For those lucky enough to be in Miami, tickets remain available through StubHub, promising an electric atmosphere as these two teams face off for just the second time this season.
With both clubs eager to make a statement and a host of young stars looking to leave their mark, Saturday’s matchup at loanDepot park has all the makings of a late-season thriller. As the Marlins fight to extend their home dominance and the Tigers look to solidify their playoff position, every pitch, swing, and defensive gem will count. Stay tuned—this one’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss battle in Miami.
