The Miami Marlins return to loanDepot park on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for a 6:40 PM ET regular season showdown against the New York Mets. Right-hander Janson Junk takes the ball for Miami opposite New York's Robert Stock in what shapes up as an intriguing late-season matchup between two pitchers who don't often headline a rotation card. With September baseball in full swing and every game carrying weight in the standings, this one matters. Catch it on Marlins.TV or tune in locally on WQAM 104.3 FM.
Probable Starters: Janson Junk vs. Robert Stock
Janson Junk gets the nod for Miami, and that name has always carried more personality than most pitching matchups can claim. Junk has carved out a spot on this roster by throwing strikes and keeping hitters off balance — a necessity for a pitcher who can't afford to beat himself. The Marlins need him to work deep into this game and limit the free passes that can unravel an outing in a hurry.
For New York, Robert Stock draws the assignment. Stock has bounced between bullpen and rotation roles across his career, and his presence in this slot signals the Mets are piecing things together on the mound. Miami's lineup should be looking to make him work early, force pitch counts up, and get into a vulnerable New York bullpen as quickly as possible.
Keys to Watch for the Miami Marlins
- Strike-throwing from Junk: Junk's value lives and dies with his ability to throw quality strikes. If he's locating his pitches and avoiding big innings, Miami has a real chance to win this ballgame at home.
- Early offense against Stock: The Marlins need to be aggressive in the first time through the order. Stock is the kind of arm Miami's lineup can do damage against if the at-bats are disciplined and hitters don't give away outs.
- Bullpen management: September rosters are expanded, giving manager Skip Schumaker more options out of the pen. How he deploys that depth — especially if Junk exits early — will go a long way toward deciding this game.
- Home crowd energy: loanDepot park in September carries a different electricity. The Marlins play better at home when the crowd is engaged, and a weeknight game against the Mets should bring out a vocal contingent on both sides.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Miami. Facing Robert Stock, the Marlins offense has a legitimate opportunity to put crooked numbers on the board early. The pressure falls on Junk to match that with a clean, competitive outing — six innings and three runs or fewer would be a quality start by any measure. If Miami's bats do their part and Schumaker navigates the bullpen cleanly, the Fish take this one at home. Marlins win, 4-2.
