Marlins right-hander Max Meyer, a first-time All-Star, will get the start on Tuesday night when Miami plays host to the Seattle Mariners.
Meyer (9-1, 2.53 ERA) is having a career year as he ended last week top 10 in the National League in various categories, including innings (103) and strikeouts (112).
“It’s pretty special,” Meyer said of being named an All-Star. “Looking back at my career, a lot of injuries. … It doesn’t really feel like a personal award because so many staff members are pulling for me.”
Meyer, 27, who takes the mound to “YMCA,” is one of two Marlins All-Stars. The other is shortstop Otto Lopez, who leads the majors with a .346 batting average, 123 hits and 25 doubles.
Lopez, who was designated for assignment by the Giants on April 1, 2024, and claimed off waivers by the Marlins three days later, has had a monster breakout year. It started in the spring when he was Canada’s starting shortstop at the World Baseball Classic, and it has continued with the Marlins.
He leads all MLB shortstops with five triples, and he’s a major reason why the Marlins just finished a 7-3 road trip. During a three-game weekend sweep over the Athletics, Miami set a franchise record with 12 home runs.
The Marlins also received seven perfect innings from right-hander Eury Lopez on Sunday. The bullpen struggled as Miami held on, 9-8.
Now it’s largely up to Meyer to keep it going.
Meyer took the loss and allowed five runs in four innings during his one career game against Seattle last season, but he has been very good at home this year. In nine starts in Miami, he is 5-0 with a 2.13 ERA.
Meanwhile, Seattle has not yet announced its starting pitcher, but the club is on an impressive run of good outings.
The Mariners have pitched two consecutive shutouts. In fact, they have recorded three shutouts in the past four games. They will enter Tuesday on a 24-inning scoreless streak.
Andres Munoz leads Seattle’s bullpen with 16 saves, and, as a team, the Mariners rank fifth in the majors with a 3.55 ERA.
The Mariners are the first team since the Astros in 2023 to have six different pitchers record consecutive quality starts.
Offensively, the Mariners are missing three-time All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez (concussion protocol). He is on the injured list until at least Friday, which means he will miss the Marlins series.
Additionally, Cal Raleigh, who set a record for catchers last year with 60 homers, has not delivered an impressive encore performance. His OPS has shrunk from .948 to .573, and he has only nine homers and 28 RBIs. He had 125 RBIs last year.
First baseman Josh Naylor, who also had a career year in 2025, has seen his OPS drop from .815 to .668.
But despite all of that, Seattle’s offense has remained solid, led by left fielder Randy Arozarena (.826 OPS, nine homers, 19 steals).
Arozarena, named an All-Star this year for the third time in his career, is trying for what would be his sixth straight 20-homer, 20-steal season.
“It lets you know that all the hard work you’ve put in — you’re going in the right direction,” Arozarena said. “(I’m grateful) to all the teammates who have helped me and to the fans. I use the fans as a motor to energize me.”
–Field Level Media
