Max Meyer delivered six innings of one-run baseball, striking out nine to move to 7-0 for the 2026 season and give the Miami Marlins a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday—while also joining Marlins greats Livan Hernandez and Dontrelle Willis as the only
When Max Meyer walked out to face a lineup that includes Paul Skenes, it wasn’t just a matchup—it was a test of whether Miami’s surge had real staying power. It did.
Meyer outdueled Skenes on Sunday, leading the Miami Marlins to a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right-hander didn’t just win; he etched his name into Marlins history in the process.
With the win, Meyer improved to 7-0 on the 2026 season. He became only the third Marlins pitcher in franchise history to win each of his first seven decisions in a season, joining Livan Hernandez and Dontrelle Willis.
Against the Pirates, Meyer worked six innings of one-run baseball. He allowed six hits and three walks, while striking out nine. It was the kind of evening that left Miami’s offense feeling protected instead of chased—especially with Skenes on the other side.
The numbers only sharpen the picture. Meyer has made 14 starts total for Miami, posting a 2.85 ERA with an 86/29 K/BB ratio. He has also recorded at least five strikeouts in all but one of his appearances this season. After a five-run blow up against the New York Mets. Meyer has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last three starts.
Wins don’t always land on one player’s shoulders, but the Marlins clearly won’t complain about how this one turned out.
Miami still has plenty of work to do, though. The Marlins sit 10.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East with a 36-36 record. and a playoff push will demand more than standout outings. Still. within the broader frustration of the standings. Meyer’s performance has offered something tangible: evidence that the rotation has a potential centerpiece.
Meyer is a former top prospect, reaching as high as the third-best prospect as recently as 2024. But his MLB career had struggled leading up to 2026. Entering this run, he carried a 4.35 career ERA after posting a 4.73 in 2025 and 5.68 in 2024.
In 2026, the gears have finally shifted. Meyer has looked like the top prospect the Marlins expected him to be.
And even with the wins piling up. there’s another layer to what Sunday meant: Meyer is trying to prove he deserves a long-term role in the rotation. The Marlins can celebrate a 4-2 victory and a franchise milestone—but they’ll also want to see Meyer sustain this form. because the standings won’t wait.
Max Meyer Miami Marlins Paul Skenes Pittsburgh Pirates MLB 2026 season 4-2 victory Livan Hernandez Dontrelle Willis pitching stats