The Marlins may be done in the standings, but they’re not done making things interesting.
Miami kept leaning into its late-season pitching experiment Wednesday in Chicago, and this time Sandy Alcantara was the closer. After Eury Pérez handled the eighth inning in Tuesday’s extra-inning win, Alcantara came in to finish off a 3-2 victory over the Cubs and needed only 12 pitches to lock down his second save of the season.
That save also put Alcantara in a rare lane. He became the first pitcher since 1996 with a season of at least 200 innings pitched and two or more saves.
The win started with a strong outing from Ryan Gusto, who continued the turnaround that has defined his last two months. Gusto worked 5 ⅓ scoreless innings before exiting in the bottom of the sixth, showing the kind of command and pitch mix Miami has been willing to trust more and more.
“I thought Ryan was fantastic tonight...he was moving the ball around, using his mix really well...and he's just been throwing the ball really well of late,” noted McCullough.
Gusto’s numbers since the start of August tell the story. He has a 3.12 ERA over that stretch, and he’s allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of his last 10 starts. For a pitcher who carried a 5.31 ERA through the end of July, that’s a major shift.
Miami led 2-0 when Gusto handed the ball to Michael Petersen, but the inning unraveled fast. Petersen, who has been Miami’s best reliever at stranding base runners at 93.3%, gave up a two-out, two-strike, two-run single to Dansby Swanson that tied the game.
Chicago’s Kevin Gausman was nearly as sharp as Gusto. The veteran allowed two runs over 5 ⅔ innings and struck out seven.
The only damage came in the top of the sixth, when Kyle Stowers homered for the second straight day. Even while playing much of 2026 with a pair of injured hamstrings, Stowers has still managed to sit second on the team with 21 home runs and an OPS just under .800.
Miami’s go-ahead run came on a replay reversal that changed the shape of the inning. A Joe Mack ground ball was originally ruled a 6-4-3 double play, but review showed Esteury Ruiz slid into second just before the transfer was caught by Swanson, wiping out the double play and giving the Marlins new life.
Around the league, the Cubs and Phillies stayed tied for the first NL Wild Card spot at 87-71. Chicago’s loss came while the Brewers, already the NL Central champs, beat the Phillies 4-1 for their 99th win. Philadelphia now opens its final series against the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays, while the Cubs get the Boston Red Sox.
Miami finishes its season series with Chicago on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Tyler Phillips, who is 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA, gets the start in his final outing of the year.
He already faced the Cubs once this season, allowing three runs over five innings in a 10-3 Marlins win. Matthew Boyd, 9-5 with a 4.06 ERA, will start for Chicago as he goes after his 10th victory.
First pitch is set for 2:20 pm EST.
In Other News...
Eury Prez Just Opened A New Marlins Option At The Right Time
Eury Prez gave the Marlins something a little different to think about in their game against the Cubs, and at a moment when they could use it. Normally one of Miamis starters, Prez came out of the bullpen and struck out the side in a clean inning, a sharp, efficient look that stood out from the recent turbulence in his starting work. It was also part of a broader approach from manager Clayton McCullough, who has been willing to use starters in relief from time to time.
For a club still sorting through its pitching mix, the outing offered a useful reminder that Prez can be more than just a traditional rotation piece. The move did not answer every question about where he fits best long term, but it did open a fresh lane for Miami to explore at exactly the right time. If the Marlins are looking for stability and impact on the mound, nights like this at least give them another option to consider. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Need Owen Caissie To Change Their Lineup In 2027
Owen Caissie gave the Marlins a glimpse of what they hoped they were getting when they brought him over from the Cubs in the Edward Cabrera deal. Even in a 2026 season interrupted by a lumbar stress reaction and a right calf strain, the 24-year-old right fielder still managed career highs in several offensive categories and stayed on the field for 108 games, enough to show why Miami views him as more than just another young piece in the outfield mix.
The bigger question now is whether that production can become something sturdier and more complete as the Marlins look ahead to 2027. Caissies season line reflected both the promise and the volatility of his game, with power, patience and plenty of strikeouts all living in the same profile, and Miami is counting on him to help reshape the middle of its lineup if he can keep the injuries from interrupting the development curve. [Read more 🡒]
Marlins Prospects Are Getting A Test That Could Shape The Next Wave
Eight Miami Marlins prospects are headed to the Arizona Fall League, where they will suit up for the Glendale Desert Dogs in a showcase that brings together top young talent from all 30 major league organizations. Among the Marlins group are outfielders Dillon Lewis and Max Williams, and the assignment gives the club another look at how its next wave handles a higher level of competition.
The league runs from Oct. 3 to Nov. 1, making it a short but useful proving ground for players who are nearing a more serious push through the system. Marlins director of player development Rachel Balkovec pointed to the prospects growth and their readiness for what the fall circuit can reveal, and for Miami the bigger question is which of these prospects can turn that opportunity into a true step forward. [Read more 🡒]