After a much-needed All-Star break, the Miami Marlins returned to action and nearly swept the Kansas City Royals in a competitive three-game set at loanDepot park. The series was headlined by Kyle Stowers’ historic weekend performance, including a walk-off home run in Friday’s 8-7 win and two more extra-base hits on Saturday. Miami extended its win streak to four with a 3-1 victory on Saturday before falling short in Sunday’s finale, 7-4, despite a spirited ninth-inning rally. With the series win, the Marlins moved to 46-52 and continue to show surprising fight in the second half of the season.
1. Kyle Stowers Is Having One of the Best Seasons in Marlins History
What Kyle Stowers accomplished this weekend put him in rarefied air and not just in franchise history. By going deep five times across a two-game stretch (July 13 and 18), including a walk-off blast on Friday, Stowers joined Hall of Famer Ty Cobb as the only players since 1901 with at least eight hits, five home runs, and 11 RBIs in a two-game span. More remarkably, Stowers became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit five home runs in a two-game stretch that included a walk-off. He’s now riding a streak of eight consecutive hits (4 singles, 4 homers) and has reached base safely in ten straight plate appearances, tying club records in both categories. The 27-year-old Stanford product, a former Orioles draft pick, is slashing .298/.371 with 21 home runs and 59 RBIs and might just be authoring the greatest offensive season the Marlins have seen in over a decade.
2. Despite the Fire Sale, the Marlins Are Playing Inspired Baseball
When the Marlins opened the season with a fire sale and a 100-loss campaign fresh in memory, expectations were rock bottom. But under first-year manager Clayton McCullough, Miami has become one of the more quietly competitive teams in the National League. Since June 13, the Marlins have gone 21-11 and were riding a four-game win streak before Sunday’s loss. That stretch has included series wins, improved starting pitching, and clutch late-game hitting. Though still under .500 at 46-52, Miami is 6-4 in its last 10 and has clawed back into relevance with grit, resiliency, and an ability to punch above its weight. Whether or not they become sellers at the deadline, they’ve already shown they won’t go quietly a credit to the clubhouse culture being built.
3. Xavier Edwards Continues to Be a Reliable Catalyst
Overshadowed by the fireworks of Stowers’ power surge is the consistency of second baseman Xavier Edwards. The 24-year-old has been a steady presence atop the lineup, batting .291 with 95 hits, 43 runs, and 16 stolen bases on the season. Edwards played a critical role in Saturday’s win with a triple, double, and a key eighth-inning run scored that set up Otto López’s go-ahead two-run double. He added a two-run single in Sunday’s ninth-inning rally, showing his knack for timely hitting. Whether it’s manufacturing runs with speed or putting pressure on opposing pitchers with his bat control, Edwards has emerged as one of Miami’s most valuable contributors and a bright spot in the franchise’s youth movement.
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