For Clayton McCullough, his time with the Miami Marlins has been a treat, as he's enjoyed mostly positive reviews since knocking on South Florida's door in the 2024 offseason. And for the most part, his first two years in town make it appear as if the dark, stormy nights are over in the 305.

McCullough has gone 159-165 in his tenure guiding the Fish, a team that had sunk to scary depths before his arrival. As if dressed in a superhero costume, he showed up looking the part. And, for once, it looked like the Marlins had a leader who could rattle some chains, not just some ghostly apparition of a legitimate skipper.

So, it's been as sweet as candy for McCullough thus far, with most of the fan base expecting him to be the one who would lead the team through a corn maze of contenders, all the way back to the postseason. But as we sit here on Halloween 2026, folks, we'll find out in 2027 whether or not those are just phantom hopes.

The good news? McCullough has another year to figure out how to keep the team from falling into the same trap. The bad news? The fan base isn't likely to be as forgiving if the same tricks don't work a second time. So, falling short would saw through any confidence the audience has in him.

But perhaps the biggest monster lurking in the shadows isn't some sicko, but the expectations that come with a young team finally showing signs of life.

Miami's youth movement has created plenty of excitement, but it also means McCullough will have to continue developing his young players while keeping the pitching staff healthy and organized. Injuries and a lack of depth complicated matters in 2026, but the manager will still need to find a way to keep his arms fresh and establish clearer roles for his pitchers.

And then there's the psychological aspect. McCullough must responsibly chaperone a youthful unit safely - one that (without a doubt) will have plenty of black cats cross their path.

There was no clearer example of that than this July. After winning 20 games in June, the most in franchise history in a single month, the Marlins were riding high. The losing streak that followed left them looking like a team that had seen a ghost.

McCullough will have to make sure his players don't carry that fear into 2027. Because while president of baseball operations Peter Bendix may have faith in his manager, the fans are ready for a treat of their own: October baseball.

If McCullough can deliver, the curse will be broken, and the Marlins could finally have the leader they've been searching for. But if his squad falls short again, the Fish faithful will begin to scream, and the Grim Reaper might just come knocking.

For now, McCullough has a chance to prove that the Marlins' recent struggles were nothing more than an old nightmare. But in 2027, the clock is ticking, and the stakes are getting pretty frightening.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.