The Miami Marlins wrap up their Sunday afternoon with a 1:40 PM ET first pitch against the Chicago Cubs at loanDepot park on September 6, 2026. Tyler Phillips takes the ball for Miami against Chicago's Clay Holmes in what shapes up as a pitching matchup worth watching late in the regular season. With rosters built around young talent on the Marlins side and proven veterans anchoring the Cubs lineup, this one has real stakes for both clubs heading into the stretch run.

Starting Pitchers: Tyler Phillips vs. Clay Holmes

Tyler Phillips gets the nod for Miami. The right-hander has been part of the Marlins rotation as the club looks to develop its young pitching corps through the 2026 regular season. Phillips will need to be sharp against a Cubs lineup that features legitimate middle-of-the-order threats.

Clay Holmes draws the assignment for Chicago. Holmes transitions to a starting role here, and how he manages his pitch mix and workload through a lineup will be one of the central storylines of the afternoon. Cubs fans tuning in on Marquee Sports Network will want to see Holmes establish early command.

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Veterans with Punch

The Cubs present a formidable lineup from top to bottom. Pete Crow-Armstrong sets the table at leadoff from center field, followed by Seiya Suzuki in the two-hole. The heart of the order is where Chicago can do real damage — Michael Busch at first base hits third, with Alex Bregman cleaning up at fourth. Ian Happ rounds out the top five from left field. Nico Hoerner provides steadiness at shortstop, while Michael Conforto slots in at DH batting eighth. Carson Kelly handles the catching duties for Chicago.

Miami Marlins Lineup: Youth on Display

Manager skip sends out a young and hungry Marlins lineup. Kyle Stowers leads off from the DH spot, with Griffin Conine batting second at first base. Owen Caissie hits third from right field — a bat Miami has been eager to develop. Jakob Marsee gets the cleanup assignment from center field, with Heriberto Hernández hitting fifth in left. Joe Mack catches and bats sixth. Otto Lopez holds down shortstop at seventh, Graham Pauley takes the eight spot at third base, and Javier Sanoja closes out the order at second base.

Keys to Watch

• Phillips keeping Bregman and Suzuki in check: The Cubs' two through four hitters are capable of doing serious damage. Phillips needs to work efficiently and avoid big innings against Chicago's veteran core.
• Marlins getting on base early: Stowers and Conine at the top of the order need to create traffic for Caissie and Marsee to drive in. Miami's offense runs through those middle spots.
• Holmes managing the young Marlins bats: Caissie, Marsee, and Hernández are developing hitters who can be exploited — but they can also surprise. How Holmes attacks them will define Chicago's afternoon.
• Bullpen depth: For a Sunday afternoon game this deep in the regular season, both teams will have their full bullpen available. How quickly either starter exits could swing the outcome.

Prediction

This figures to be a competitive, low-scoring afternoon at loanDepot park. Phillips has a chance to put together a quality start if he commands his fastball and limits free passes against a patient Cubs lineup. But Chicago's lineup — with Bregman, Suzuki, and Happ capable of punishing mistakes — gives the visitors an edge. Cubs win, 4-2, but don't sleep on Caissie providing a highlight-reel moment for the home crowd. Catch the action on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig and Garcia, or tune in on 104.3 The Score.