Kansas City Royals vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions June 26th 2024

Resurgent Marlins Aim for Third Straight Series Win Against Struggling Royals

The Miami Marlins are on a hot streak, having won their last two series and looking to clinch a third consecutive series win against the Kansas City Royals. The Marlins’ recent performance contrasts sharply with the Royals’ ongoing struggles, making this decisive game a compelling matchup.

Marlins’ Recent Performance

The Marlins have demonstrated resilience and skill, taking two of three games from both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Seattle Mariners. Their recent 2-1 victory over the Royals tied the current series at one game apiece, setting the stage for an exciting finale.

Key Player Contributions

Otto Lopez has been a standout for the Marlins, delivering consecutive two-hit performances. His scoring run on Nick Gordon’s infield single was pivotal in their recent win. Gordon, in turn, has been reliable, hitting safely in four consecutive games and six of his last seven.

Manager Skip Schumaker emphasized the importance of consistent contact, saying, “We put the ball in play and were fortunate on a couple of those plays. There’s value in putting the ball in play… It wasn’t a ton of hard contact, but a win’s a win.”

Royals’ Struggles

In stark contrast, the Kansas City Royals have lost 12 of their last 16 games. Their offensive struggles were evident in their recent loss, where they managed only four hits and struck out nine times. Despite a solo homer from Vinnie Pasquantino in their series opener win, the team couldn’t maintain momentum.

Upcoming Pitching Duel

Valente Bellozo is set to make his major league debut for the Marlins, stepping up from Triple-A Jacksonville where he had a challenging stint with a 5.66 ERA. His debut could be a crucial moment for Miami’s depleted rotation.

Brady Singer will pitch for the Royals. Despite a solid season with a 3.29 ERA, Singer hasn’t secured a win in his last five starts. His experience and previous success in interleague play (9-5 record with a 3.73 ERA) will be tested against a determined Marlins lineup.

Strategic Insights

Vinnie Pasquantino highlighted the challenges of facing a new pitcher, noting, “I think you try to study a little bit more. I haven’t seen his arm… Who’s catching, that matters too because has he worked with that guy before? Who’s calling pitches?”

Singer’s last outing against the Texas Rangers showed resilience, escaping a bases-loaded jam despite driving up his pitch count. “Felt good. Struggled there in the fourth, threw a lot of pitches and kind of drove my pitch count up,” Singer reflected.

Conclusion

As the Marlins aim for their third consecutive series win, the upcoming game against the Royals promises to be a thrilling encounter. With key contributions from players like Otto Lopez and Nick Gordon, and strategic pitching decisions in the spotlight, both teams will be pushing hard for a decisive victory.

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