The Fish Are Still Fighting? How The Miami Marlins Can Make the MLB Playoffs

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If I would have told you before the MLB season that with 6 games left to play the Miami Marlins could still make the playoffs, you would have called my delusional. Well, I’m here to say that I would have been right.

Yet here we are. The Miami Marlins have exceeded all expectations this year under first-year manager Clayton McCullough. Currently sitting at 76-80, they are alive for a winning season and even a playoff spot, having far outperformed their preseason projection of roughly 60 wins.

This season has been full of surprises, from trade speculation surrounding their aces to questions about lineup consistency and McCullough’s leadership. Despite all of that, the Marlins have life. Here is how they could pull off this improbable run.

The Marlins currently hold the tiebreaker over both the Giants and the Reds, who are both ahead of them. Their next three games against the Phillies are absolutely crucial to their slim playoff hopes and could possibly set up a huge weekend finale against the New York Mets at LoanDepot Park. Here is what would need to happen for the Marlins to clinch a spot:

• Miami must go 5-1 or better in their final six games

• New York Mets must go 1-5 or worse

• Cincinnati Reds must go 1-5 or worse

• Arizona Diamondbacks must go 1-5 or worse

• St. Louis Cardinals must go 4-2 or worse

• San Francisco Giants must go 4-2 or worse

Yes, the odds are long. Yes, it may feel impossible. But that is the beauty of baseball. The Marlins are a young, hungry team, and this season has already been nothing short of miraculous. They have proven they can compete with anyone, even amid skepticism and low expectations.

Looking ahead, the future is bright. The free agent market is full of stars, Miami has talent at the major league level and throughout the minor leagues, and this team has shown it has fight. The 2025 season may not end with a playoff berth, but it has laid the groundwork for optimism and excitement heading into next year.

One thing is certain: the fish are still fighting, and they have a huge offseason ahead of them.