The Miami Marlins close out their regular season home schedule against a familiar NL East foe on Friday, September 25, 2026, when they host the Atlanta Braves at loanDepot park. First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET, with right-hander Eury Pérez taking the ball for Miami. Atlanta has not confirmed a probable starter. For the Marlins, this is a late-September opportunity to finish strong on their home turf in front of the South Florida faithful — and Pérez is exactly the kind of arm you want on the bump for a game that matters.
Starting Pitchers: Eury Pérez Takes the Ball for Miami
Eury Pérez is the story on the mound Friday night. The young Miami right-hander has long carried enormous expectations, and late in the regular season is the right time to see what he can deliver. Pérez features a power arsenal that generates swings and misses, and he has the ceiling of a true front-of-the-rotation starter. Current season stats for Pérez were not available at time of publication, so we'll let his performance Friday do the talking.
Atlanta has not announced a probable starter for this contest. That uncertainty makes pregame preparation tricky for Miami's lineup, but it also removes a known quantity from the equation. The Marlins will need to stay disciplined at the plate regardless of who Atlanta sends out and be ready to adjust early.
Keys to Watch for the Miami Marlins
- Pérez's command: When Pérez is locating his fastball and mixing his secondary pitches effectively, he is difficult to square up. Watch his first-inning rhythm — it tends to set the tone for his outings.
- Plate discipline against an unknown arm: With Atlanta's starter unconfirmed, Miami's hitters will need to work counts early, gather information quickly, and not chase. Patient at-bats in the first two innings could pay dividends later.
- Home energy at loanDepot park: September home games matter for a club's identity heading into the offseason. Playing in front of the Miami crowd gives this group a chance to send fans home with something to feel good about.
- Bullpen management: However deep Pérez goes, the back end of Miami's bullpen will be critical. Late-inning execution in close games is where September records are decided.
Braves Storyline Worth Tracking
Atlanta arrives as one of the most consistently productive organizations in the National League. The Braves are never a team to take lightly, regardless of where either club sits in the standings. Their lineup is capable of putting up crooked numbers in a hurry, which means Pérez cannot afford to fall behind hitters or work around the zone. Miami's defense will need to be sharp behind him.
Prediction
This one comes down to Eury Pérez. If he is on — generating weak contact, missing bats, and keeping Atlanta's lineup off-balance through five or six innings — Miami has a real shot to take this game at home. The Braves present genuine lineup depth, but loanDepot park on a Friday night with a healthy crowd and Pérez dealing is a competitive equation. Give the edge to Miami in a tight, low-scoring game. Marlins 3, Braves 2.
Catch the action on Marlins.TV presented by Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, or tune in on radio at 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or WQAM 104.3. Spanish-language coverage is available on WAQI 710.
