The Miami Marlins head into Sunday’s series finale against the Kansas City Royals looking to salvage momentum from a challenging homestand and continue fostering development in their young, evolving roster. At 44–56, Miami’s playoff hopes have realistically faded, but that hasn’t stopped them from playing competitive baseball against superior opponents, especially at home where their pitching and defense tend to thrive. Janson Junk is expected to start, and his 4–1 record with a 2.68 ERA paints the picture of a pitcher who’s not only exceeded expectations but also provided rare stability to a rotation that has faced its share of adversity in 2025. Junk’s game is built around control and deception; he doesn’t overpower hitters, but he keeps them guessing with a balanced mix of sliders and changeups that generate soft contact. That’s especially important against a Royals lineup that thrives on contact and aggressive baserunning. Miami’s offense, while not prolific, has leaned on players like Xavier Edwards and Josh Bell to create scoring chances. Edwards has stepped into a versatile role, playing both infield and outfield, and contributing with his speed and ability to extend at-bats, while Bell remains a veteran presence capable of driving in runs from the middle of the order. Jake Burger and Avisaíl García provide occasional pop, but this is a team that must string together multiple hits in an inning rather than rely on one big swing. Defensively, the Marlins have quietly been one of the better units in the National League, especially when it comes to run prevention and positioning, thanks to a coaching staff that emphasizes fundamentals and analytics. The bullpen is another strength, featuring a blend of youth and experience, including arms like Tanner Scott and Andrew Nardi who’ve been dependable in close games. Miami has been involved in a number of low-scoring affairs at home this season, and that trend figures to continue on Sunday given the pitching matchup and the nature of both offenses. The key for the Marlins will be to score first and hand a lead over to their bullpen by the sixth or seventh inning—if they can do that, they’ve been successful more often than not. Playing from behind has been a struggle for this team all season, as their lineup lacks the punch to erase multi-run deficits quickly. Still, with home-field advantage and a quietly competent starter in Junk, Miami should feel confident in their ability to keep this contest close. Limiting Kansas City’s basepath chaos—especially Bobby Witt Jr.—and taking advantage of any defensive lapses or bullpen shakiness from the Royals will be essential. In games like these, where both clubs are fighting for different reasons, the edge often goes to the team that plays sharper and with more patience. If the Marlins can execute situationally, hold their ground on defense, and let Junk set the tone, they have every chance to close the weekend with a win and head into the next series with renewed energy.