How Miami Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks will fare on the mound this season depends entirely on where he is. 

When at loanDepot park, he is every bit of the closer that the Marlins expected when they made him the largest free-agent contract for a reliever in franchise history, worth $13 million over this season. In 10 appearances at home, Fairbanks has allowed only two runs on four hits with 16 strikeouts in 9.2 innings pitched (1.86 ERA). He is also 6-for-6 in save opportunities. 

However, anywhere else, and to call him to the mound is to invite chaos. In six road appearances, he has given up 12 runs (10 earned) in 4.2 innings (19.29 ERA) for three losses and two blown saves. Most recently, Fairbanks gave up a two-run walk-off home run, losing 9-7 against the New York Mets on Friday. 

The Marlins (26-32) came back from a four-run deficit to tie the game, only to fall in the 10th inning. After working a 0-2 count with consecutive fastballs against MJ Melendez. After shaking off a pitch called by assistant pitching coach Rob Marcello, he threw a 98.4 mph fastball that went to the outfield upper deck. 

“So maybe that'll be the switch we need,” Fairbanks told MLB.com, “just no [shake-offs] the rest of the year.” 

Fairbanks properly described the early part of his Marlins tenure as “a chaotic two months.”

“It's like the drop at Mr. Freeze in Six Flags St. Louis: It's either perfectly high or perfectly low,” Fairbanks said. “There's been no middle ground of the roller coaster. It's either been lights-out, or it's been every light is on.”

The Marlins will look to snap their three-game losing streak on Saturday with Tyler Phillips on the mound. Phillips came from the bullpen to the starting rotation on Sunday in a 4-0 win over the Mets in Miami. 

Phillips tied season highs in innings pitched (3.2) and strikeouts (4) in the no-decision. He is expected to go longer this time around as the experiment continues. 

Phillips posted a 1.20 ERA (4 ER/30.0 IP), a 1.27 WHIP, and a .198 opponent’s batting average with 27 strikeouts through 15 appearances in relief this season. He was a highly trusted long reliever in a Marlins bullpen that leads the big leagues in opposing batting average (.190; 140-for-735). Miami trails only the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in hits allowed in relief (113).

The Marlins posted their 15th game of double-digit hits this season on Friday. Four members of the Fightin’ Fish posted multiple hits, led by Kyle Stowers, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles. 

Marlins RHP Max Meyer (5-0) remains the only starting pitcher in the big leagues without a loss this season. His 12 starts without a blemish on the record is the second-longest stretch in franchise history, behind Miami legend Liván Hernández’s 13 starts to start 1997.

No. 19 prospect Fenwick Trimble leads all Marlins minor leaguers with 50 hits, which is ranked third in the Southern League. 

No. 24 prospect LHP Nate Payne leads all Marlins minor league pitchers in strikeouts with 68.

No. 16 prospect Luis Cova has a 17-game on-base streak and 12-game hitting streak entering Saturday’s Florida Complex League contest.

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