MIAMI — The Miami Marlins (21-26) open a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves (32-15) on Monday at loanDepot park at 6:40 p.m. ET. Max Meyer (3-0, 3.21 ERA) takes the ball for Miami against JR Ritchie (1-0, 3.32 ERA) of the Braves. The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 11 games back. The Braves are first in the division and the third-best record in the National League.
FILE – Protesters demonstrate outside LoanDepot Park before the start of a baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Two years ago this week, the photograph above was taken outside loanDepot park: Marlins fans holding “SHERMAN SELL THE TEAM” signs before a game against Philadelphia. The Marlins were 13-25 that day. They finished 62-100. Two years later, the Marlins are 21-26 — a marginal improvement on pace, an active rebuild on the roster, and the same ownership group. The signs are not in tonight’s photographs. The frustration they captured has not gone anywhere.
Tonight’s Matchup
Max Meyer is 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA across nine starts and has been Miami’s most consistent arm in May. His last outing was Wednesday in Minneapolis: six innings, three runs, the win that broke a two-game losing streak. Meyer has not faced Atlanta in 2026.
JR Ritchie, the 23-year-old right-hander from Washington State, is making his fourth career start. He is 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA. The Braves’ rotation has churned through injuries — Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Joey Wentz are all on the injured list — and Ritchie has been part of the answer. Sunday’s start against Boston went six innings, one earned run.
A fan waves a sign for Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie, who grew up near Seattle, during the first inning of a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Braves, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie walks back to the dugout during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie sits in the dugout during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Atlanta Braves pitcher Jr. Ritchie works against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Miami Marlins pitchers Max Meyer, left, and Eury Perez, front right, work out during spring training baseball, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Jupiter, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins pitcher Max Meyer throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Miami Marlins’ Max Meyer (23) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer (23) delivers during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The Marlins Lineup To Watch
The Miami offense is doing things the season totals do not yet reflect. Xavier Edwards is hitting .318 with a .404 on-base percentage. Otto Lopez is hitting .344, the highest mark on the team and 13th in the National League. Liam Hicks ranks second in MLB with 40 RBIs. The lineup walked into Tropicana Field this weekend and scored 15 runs across three games against the best home team in the American League. The bats are not the problem.
