Marlins swept by Rockies, lose 3-2 on June 5, 2025. Quantrill (L), Goodman (COL) stars. Can the Fish snap their 4-game skid against MLB's worst? Read on.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, Marlins fans, it's tough to sugarcoat this one. Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies at loanDepot park wasn't just another defeat; it was the painful culmination of a sweep by the team with the worst record in Major League Baseball. That's four straight losses now, and the questions are piling up faster than the L's.
Getting swept by the team with the worst record in MLB? Yeah, that's a new low for the Fish.
The game itself felt like a familiar script. Cal Quantrill (3-6) took the mound and battled, but ultimately allowed 2 runs on 5 hits over 5 innings. He struck out 2 and walked 1, but it wasn't enough to keep the Rockies at bay. Janson Junk provided a solid 4 innings of relief, giving up just 1 run and fanning 6, which was a positive. Offensively, we saw a flicker of hope in the seventh when Heriberto Hernández drove in a run with a single, and Jesús Sánchez brought another home on a fielder's choice. But, as has been the case too often, the rally stalled, and the Marlins finished with just 6 hits. For the Rockies, Hunter Goodman was a thorn in our side with a triple, double, RBI, and two runs, while their starter Kyle Freeland (finally getting his first win of the season) kept our bats quiet for 6.1 innings, allowing only 4 hits and 2 unearned runs.
Quantrill's outing, unfortunately, is part of a larger, troubling trend for the Marlins' starting rotation. His ERA now sits at 5.63, and the consistency just isn't there. It's not just Cal; the entire rotation has been a significant weak spot this season. Even our ace, Sandy Alcantara, has been uncharacteristically hittable, sporting an 8.10 ERA over 36.2 innings. The team's heavy reliance on data-driven pitching decisions hasn't translated into wins, and to make matters worse, opponents are running wild on us, stealing bases at a record pace. It's a multi-faceted problem that needs urgent attention.
If there's one bright, shining star in this otherwise gloomy Marlins sky, it's outfielder Kyle Stowers. Man, this guy can hit! Stowers has been an absolute revelation, providing some much-needed thunder in a lineup that's otherwise struggling to score (we're near the bottom of the league in run production, in case you forgot). He's currently on pace for 32 home runs! Barring any setbacks, he's looking like a lock for the All-Star Game, and honestly, he deserves it. He's been a joy to watch and a reason to tune in.
Speaking of the future, the Marlins' farm system has seen a significant influx of new talent over the past year. We're talking 19 new prospects, including names like Starlyn Caba, Agustin Ramirez, Dillon Head, Robby Snelling, and Deyvison De Los Santos. While these additions are welcome, the system is still generally viewed as middle-of-the-pack. The big challenge remains: developing homegrown hitters. It's a puzzle the organization has been trying to solve for years. Keep an eye on recent draftees PJ Morlando and Carter Johnson, plus international signee Andrew Salas, as they represent some of the top-tier talent in the system.
So, where do the Marlins go from here? This four-game skid, capped by a sweep from the Rockies, is a bitter pill to swallow. The pitching needs to stabilize, the offense needs to find a spark beyond Stowers, and the team needs to find a way to win these close games. It's a long season, but stretches like this test the resolve of everyone involved, from the players to the fans. Let's hope they can turn things around, and fast.
