The Costly Habit Marlins Manager Clayton McCullough Must Break

Another winnable game. Another starter pulled early. Another game given up by the bullpen.

If you've been watching the Marlins this season, the script is starting to feel all too familiar. A starting pitcher cruises through six innings, and just when he gets into a little bit of trouble, manager Clayton McCullough trots out from the dugout–and hands the game over to the overworked bullpen. The result? More often than not, a narrow lead turns into a frustrating loss, just like Thursday night's 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The latest example came with Edward Cabrera on the mound. Cabrera, who had battled his way into the seventh inning against the Phillies, was lifted before he could record the second out of the frame. Instead of trusting his right-hander, McCullough opted to go with lefty Cade Gibson to face Max Kepler. On paper, it was a left-on-left matchup. In reality, it was a decision that ended up tying the game.

"Cabrera had done a great job and liked (Cade) Gibson coming in there on (Max) Kepler...there's no alternate universe. Don't second-guess that decision. It just didn't end up working out," said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough. (Fish on First)

Again, Miami lost the game 2-1. Cabrera walked away with a no-decision, despite giving up just one run through 6.1 IP. His line? 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K on just 82 pitches. The 82 pitches should be enough reason to earn a chance to finish the seventh inning.

But, this hasn't been a one-time thing; it's been an analytical pattern throughout the season.

An Overworked Bullpen and Underused Starters

Through nearly half the 2025 season, not a single Marlins starter has pitched more than 6.1 innings in a game. Not Eury Perez, not Ryan Weathers before he got injured, not even Sandy Alcantara. That's not just unusual–it is beyond frustrating and unacceptable.

Bullpens play a bigger role than ever in modern baseball, but even the most analytics-driven teams know when to let their best starters ride. If a guy’s dealing, you give him the ball and let him take you home. The Marlins? They yank their starters early, regardless of pitch count, rhythm, or results.

And it's costing them.

The bullpen, which has shown flashes but isn't built for 12-15 outs per night, has gotten worn down. Miami's relievers have the second-most innings pitched (302 IP) in the National League entering June 20. The result? Leads blown, games lost, and confidence lost.

What's most frustrating is that Miami's rotation can go deeper. Cabrera, in particular, has made clear strides with his velocity and command since the start of the season. If McCullough is serious about developing young talent and salvaging a rocky season, he must start showing faith in his arms.

Let your pitchers finish what they start. Let them face adversity and learn from it. Don’t let analytics dictate every move—trust your instincts. This isn’t Bendix’s team to manage. It’s yours.

McCullough was brought in to lead a new era in Miami, but that won’t happen if he keeps managing with caution. The arms are ready. The moments are there. Now it’s on him to trust his starters—or keep watching winnable games slip away.