Fish On First

This podcast is brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Make sure to use promo code FISHONFIRST to receive 10% off your next booking.

Given where the Marlins stand, dropping any game this late in the season hurts. Losing a crucial contest and your star, though? That's a gut punch. Alas, Clayton McCullough and his club had to live out that exact nightmare scenario on Tuesday night. Minutes before their eventual 7-3 loss at the hands of the Royals, news broke that All-Star and middle of the order bat, Kyle Stowers, was removed due to left hamstring tightness.

With a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers to open the month of September 2006, the Florida Marlins became the first team in Major League Baseball history to get back to .500 after falling 20 games below earlier in the season. The very next night, they became the first team to get over .500 after falling 20 games below. They did so on this day 20 years ago and in improbable fashion.

If you are not a SuperSub, please consider signing up here to support the FOF staff. Series preview notes Probable starting pitchers: RHP Janson Junk (MIA) vs. LHP Shota Imanaga (CHC) on Friday RHP Ryan Gusto (MIA) vs. TBD (CHC) on Saturday RHP Tyler Phillips (MIA) vs. TBD (CHC) on Sunday The Marlins rank 15th in MLB with a 100 wRC+ and 14th in MLB with a 4.05 FIP. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have a 42-27 record at home this season.

On Thursday, the Miami Marlins announced that they have designated infielder Leo Jiménez for assignment. Deyvison De Los Santos is being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville as the corresponding move. The Marlins acquired Jiménez from the Toronto Blue Jays at the beginning of the MLB regular season in exchange for minor leaguer Dub Gleed. In 66 games with the big league team, Jiménez slashed .199/.306/.259/.565 with two home runs, 14 RBI and posted a 65 wRC+.

This podcast is brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Make sure to use promo code FISHONFIRST to receive 10% off your next booking.

With a team full of rookies and a first-year manager in Joe Girardi, the 2006 Florida Marlins were expected to be one of the worst teams in baseball. With less than a month left in the season, however, the Marlins found themselves squarely in the postseason race. On this day 20 years ago, the Fish made history. Once 11-31, the Marlins became the first team in baseball history to get back to .500 after falling 20 games below. They evened their record with a 10-3 road win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Other teams must see this Marlins offense as pests. If you thought their ninth-inning rally against the Nationals on Sunday made for a wild game, then I am afraid you were not prepared to process the emotions of Wednesday's mid-series matchup against the Kansas City Royals. In a game that saw the two teams club three home runs apiece, it was a total coin flip in deciding a winner for this game. Fortunately for the Marlins, the coin landed in their favor in a 9-6 victory.

Welcome to September. Entering Tuesday night's contest in Kansas City at 69-69, the clock ticks louder as the days roll on for a Marlins team desperately trying to stay alive in the NL Wild Card race—even more so coming off a 1-3 wraparound set in the nations capitol. If the themes from their 6-3 series-opening victory are any omen for what's in store, Clayton McCullough's squad is in for quite the month.

The Miami Marlins welcomed 21 new players to their organization via the 2026 MLB Draft. Historically, they have been quick to test draftees in official Minor League Baseball games shortly after signing them, but the process has been different this summer. As of Tuesday, only four members of the 2026 class have suited up for Marlins MiLB affiliates, and Fish On First has learned that none of the pitchers are expected to take the mound against minor league competition until 2027.