Marlins fall to Cardinals 6-3 on July 28 despite Kyle Stowers' homer. As the trade deadline looms, is Miami's front office ready to sell or push for a run?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night, another frustrating loss for the Miami Marlins. Despite a powerful blast from Kyle Stowers, the team fell 6-3 to the Cardinals, sinking further below .500. But the on-field action at Busch Stadium tells only half the story, as the Marlins' front office is reportedly deep in talks, with the looming trade deadline forcing a critical decision: push for a long-shot playoff run or pivot towards the future?
We’re not out of it. We just have to keep grinding every day.
The series opener in St. Louis felt like a microcosm of the Marlins' recent struggles. Starter Edward Cabrera battled through five innings, striking out six but issuing costly walks that loaded the bases for Willson Contreras's back-breaking, three-run double in the fourth. Cabrera finished with five runs allowed (four earned), and the bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, surrendering another run in the seventh. While Jazz Chisholm Jr. provided a spark with two hits and a stolen base, the team couldn't string together the big hits, a problem Manager Clayton McCullough lamented postgame. 'We need to execute better with runners in scoring position,' he stated bluntly.
The brightest spot in an otherwise gloomy night was, once again, Kyle Stowers. The outfielder crushed his 24th home run of the season, a two-run shot that continues his torrid pace. Stowers is not just leading the team in homers and RBIs (65); he's putting together a career year, hitting .299 and homering in four of his last seven games. His consistent power has been the engine of the Marlins' offense, and his performance was celebrated across social media, a testament to his breakout season.
The team's challenges were compounded by news that outfielder Bryan De La Cruz is heading to the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain. In his place, the Marlins have recalled Peyton Burdick, who was swinging a hot bat in Triple-A. 'Peyton has earned this opportunity,' McCullough said. This move comes as trade talks are reportedly 'intensifying' around key relievers Tanner Scott and Andrew Nardi. Sources indicate the Marlins are looking for controllable young hitters in return, with teams like the Orioles and Mariners showing interest. The injury to De La Cruz only adds another layer of complexity to the front office's deadline strategy.
Despite the team's slide, key figures remain publicly optimistic. Jazz Chisholm Jr., appearing on MLB Network, insisted the team's playoff hopes aren't dead. 'We’re not out of it,' he said. 'We just have to keep grinding every day.' That sentiment is echoed by the front office's long-term vision, which is showing promise. Down in the farm system, top prospects like third baseman Diwarys Encarnación are raking, and former Rule 5 pick Liam Hicks is proving he belongs in the big leagues. This burgeoning talent provides a safety net and a source of hope, regardless of which path the team takes at the deadline.
As the Marlins prepare for the next game against the Cardinals, the focus is split. Can they heed their manager's call and start executing on the field? And what will the roster look like in a few days? The next 48 hours will be pivotal, not just for this series, but for the direction of the entire franchise for the remainder of 2025 and beyond. All eyes are on the field and on the front office.
