Kyle Stowers sizzling as Marlins take on Athletics

Kyle Stowers is playing like an All-Star.

The Marlins outfielder, who is hitting .324 with six homers, 25 RBIs and a .944 OPS, will lead Miami on Sunday in the rubber game of a series against the visiting Athletics.

On Saturday, Stowers hit two homers, including a walk-off grand slam against A's All-Star closer Mason Miller.

"What a stretch he's on," Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of Stowers. "It couldn't happen to a better guy. The work he's putting in ... the game rewards you."

Stowers hit a first-pitch, 102-mph fastball from Miller, and the ball went out to the opposite field.

"Kyle is continuing to stack good at-bats," McCullough said. "This is a really terrific version of him. He is covering velocity, but he still has enough adjustability in his swing to get to some secondary stuff.

"He's in a great spot -- a lot of confidence."

Sunday's pitching matchup will feature Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (0-1, 7.23 ERA) against A's lefty JP Sears (4-2, 2.94).

It doesn't line up as a great pitching matchup perhaps ... but it could be, based on how each hurler has fared against the other franchise.

For example, Cabrera is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in his two career starts against the A's. In 14 innings against the A's, he has allowed six hits, four walks and no runs while striking out 17 batters.

Against the rest of the major leagues, however, Cabrera is just 15-23 in 65 games (63 starts). And if Cabrera doesn't pitch better than he has in his first four starts this season, he could get bounced from the rotation.

Sears, meanwhile, is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in one start against Miami, pitching 6 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and one walk on May 3, 2024.

Against the rest of the majors, Sears is just 25-32 in 86 games (80 starts), although he has at least been durable.

Sears has made 32 starts in each of the past two seasons, going 16-27 while avoiding injuries.

With his ability to eat innings and pitch inside, Sears has been a valued addition since the A's acquired him from the New York Yankees at the 2022 trade deadline.

His career ERA is better on the road (3.72) than it is at home (4.88).

That's a theme for the A's as a whole, as they lead the majors in road wins (12-7).

For support, Sears could look to A's outfielder JJ Bleday, who so far in this series is 4-for-8 with five runs, two homers, one double, two RBIs and one walk.

Bleday was Miami's first-round pick in 2019.

"He's getting good pitches to hit, and he's laying off the bad ones," A's manager Mark Kotsay said of Bleday. "He's getting results."

Elsewhere in Sunday's matchup, the Marlins -- who broke a six-game losing streak with Saturday's dramatic win -- could get starting catcher Nick Fortes (strained left oblique) off the injured list.

Fortes (.833 OPS in seven games) hasn't played since April 9. Agustin Ramirez, Miami's top catching prospect, has a 1.010 OPS in nine games, and supposed backup Liam Hicks has a .663 OPS in 22 games.

It's possible the Marlins could keep all three catchers on the roster. Outfielder Jesus Sanchez (back tightness) and second baseman Otto Lopez (sprained ankle) are candidates to go on the injured list.

--Field Level Media