The Miami Marlins wrap up their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at loanDepot park, with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 PM ET. Eury Pérez gets the ball for Miami against Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan in what figures to be one of the more compelling pitching matchups the Fish have hosted this season. With September baseball in full swing and roster spots expanded, every game carries weight — and a Sunday afternoon date against one of the National League's marquee franchises is exactly the kind of stage young arms like Pérez were built for.
Pitching Matchup: Eury Pérez vs. Emmet Sheehan
The headliner here is Eury Pérez, Miami's prize young starter whose combination of size, arm strength, and feel for pitching has made him one of the more closely watched arms in the organization. The right-hander from the Dominican Republic carries enormous upside every time he takes the mound at loanDepot park, and a matchup against a Dodgers lineup that never stops putting pressure on opposing pitchers is a legitimate measuring-stick moment.
On the other side, Emmet Sheehan has carved out a spot in the Los Angeles rotation and brings his own intriguing stuff to Miami. Sheehan is a power arm with the kind of swing-and-miss potential that can make any lineup look bad on any given afternoon. The Marlins will need to be disciplined early and attack mistakes when they come — because against a pitcher like Sheehan, free passes are too costly to absorb.
Keys to Watch for the Marlins
- Eury Pérez's command: When Pérez is locating his fastball and deploying his secondary offerings efficiently, he can neutralize lineups far more dangerous than most. His ability to attack the zone early in counts will be critical against a Dodgers offense built to grind at-bats.
- Plate discipline: Los Angeles pitchers consistently work deep into counts and induce weak contact. Miami's hitters need to identify Sheehan's breaking ball early and avoid expanding the zone.
- Bullpen management: If Pérez gives Miami five or six solid innings, how the coaching staff navigates the late innings against a Dodgers lineup that can punish any slip will define this game as much as anything that happens early.
- Home crowd energy: A Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park with a marquee opponent in town can generate real atmosphere. The Marlins have historically played better when the crowd is engaged — and this matchup should bring one out.
Prediction
This is a genuine pitchers' duel on paper, and Eury Pérez has the ability to keep Miami competitive deep into the afternoon. The Dodgers are never an easy out, and Sheehan gives them a legitimate weapon at the top of the lineup card. That said, home field and the energy of a Sunday matinee at loanDepot park give Miami a real edge. Expect a low-scoring game that hinges on one or two swings. Edge: Marlins, 3-2.
