Perez Makes Final Start of 2026, Looks to Finally Beat Braves

The Miami Marlins enter the final series of the 2026 season with one clear goal. 

Sweep the Atlanta Braves. 

While the Braves have already clinched the National League East title and there is no real way for the Marlins to play spoiler, sweeping their rivals would have Miami finishing the season with an 81-81 record. 

In a season that has left plenty to be desired, finishing .500 for the first time since 2023 would be considered a promising sign of progress for the Marlins. 

Friday’s game is the last time Marlins fans will see Eury Perez on the mound this season. Perez will look to end a seminal season on a high note with his 30th appearance and 29th start. 

It may feel like Perez has been in Miami forever but the “Baby Goat” made his big league debut as the second-youngest rookie in Marlins history at 20 years and 27 days, behind only shortstop Edgar Renteria. For those who don’t remember, Renteria hit the scene as a teenager and went on to have a solid big league career. 

Perez finished third among MLB rookie pitchers in 2023 with a 3.15 ERA and made his presence known with 10 strikeouts on Aug. 19, 2023, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He has since struggled with injuries but returned from Tommy John Surgery on June 9, 2025, and finished the season with 20 starts for the first time in his career while posting a 7-6 record with a 4.25 ERA and 105 strikeouts while limiting opposing batters to a .195 batting average. 

That season, along with Sandy Alcantara expecting to be back to his vintage self was cause for optimism in 2026. 

While it has been a largely inconsistent season, with a 4.14 ERA and 162 strikeouts, Perez has shown his potential later in the year. He posted a 5-5 record with a 3.50 ERA and 104 strikeouts in his last 18 starts and one relief appearance. One of his best months was in a crucial July, where he posted a 1.69 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP.

Perez was at his best against the National League. He posted a 6-6 record with a 3.49 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 18 starts against the Senior Circuit. 

However, September was his worst month of the season, posting an 8.84 ERA in five appearances, including his first relief appearance, where he struck out the side against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 22. 

Perez was tagged for five runs on eight hits in a loss against the San Diego Padres on Sept. 19, his last start. He has an opportunity to right the ship at the end but he would have to slay his demons from the South. Perez has a 0-3 record with a 9.78 ERA in five career starts against the Braves. The Marlins lost 4-1 against Atlanta on Aug. 5, despite Perez racking up nine strikeouts over five innings.

Should Perez lead the Marlins to victory, the Marlins will tie the 2023 team with a franchise record 46th win at loanDepot park.