The Miami Marlins were officially eliminated from the 2026 Major League Baseball postseason with an 8-2 loss to the San Diego Padres, who seem destined to play in October.

What appeared to be a close game turned into a runaway win on Friday, with the Padres rallying for six runs in the fifth inning on their way to an 8-2 victory. San Diego (85-69) has now moved into a three-way tie with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies for the National League’s three wild-card positions with eight games remaining. 

The victory means the Padres have now won 11 of their last 12 games and are five games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks as they have gotten hot at just the right time of the year. Meanwhile, the Fish fell to 76-78 as they struggle down the stretch to reach the .500 mark before the season’s end.

The Marlins grabbed an early lead when Agustín Ramírez launched a solo home run to left field in the third inning, his fifth of the season. That advantage disappeared quickly, however, as San Diego answered with the six-run fifth - one that inevitably doomed Miami.

Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered an RBI single with the bases loaded before Dustin Harris followed with a two-run single. Two outs later, Ty France crushed his 21st homer of the year off reliever Tyler Zuber. At that point in the game, France’s blast gave the Padres a commanding 6-1 advantage.

It was a lead they would never surrender. Not only did the Padres get plenty of offense, but they got an outstanding performance from starter Nick Pivetta (now 3-2) as well. The 33-year-old veteran limited Miami to one run and four hits in five innings of work, striking out four Marlins and walking one to earn his third victory of the season.

Jackson Merrill would later hit a solo shot in the eighth inning, his 26th bomb of the year, to cap San Diego’s scoring on the night.

Perhaps it sounds like a broken record in South Florida, but the game was another example of why the team's president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, must make addressing the bullpen a priority this offseason. Perhaps by even opening the Miami checkbook and exploring an inexpensive option in free agency.

It was another example of the Marlins bullpen imposing after their starter spotted them a solid five-inning foundation. The Fish have floundered in those situations recently because of a lack of success and a bevy of injuries to the relief corps. Those maladies were evident once again before the Padres game, when it was announced that the closer for most of the season, Pete Fairbanks, is scheduled to undergo surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.

Tonight's game at Petco Park will feature a pair of right-handers on the hill. For the Marlins, Eury Pérez, 7-11 with a 3.99 ERA and 155 strikeouts, will look to add to his record in what is likely his second-to-last start of 2026. Opposing him will be Casey Mize (6-9, 3.69 ERA). Game time is set for a 6:40 PM first pitch.