PITTSBURGH – When Max Meyer last pitched at PNC Park, the clean-shaven right-hander recorded just two outs in his second career start due to right elbow discomfort and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery. Three years later, a bearded Meyer has put an injury-plagued career in the rear-view mirror and blossomed into the 2026 season’s breakout pitcher. Meyer furthered his All-Star case by outdueling reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes in the Marlins’ 4-2 victory over the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Miami (36-36) secured its fourth consecutive series win and returned to .500 by improving to 10-2 in June. “I thought about it,” Meyer said. “It's kind of cool to be back on the mound, remember stuff. I remember walking down the tunnel, throwing my glove after my elbow exploded. It was cool being able to go out and think about how far I've come.” The 27-year-old Meyer allowed one run on six hits – all singles – and three walks, lowering his ERA to 2.75. He struck out a season-high-tying nine batters in his fifth quality start of 2026. Meyer (7-0) is the only pitcher in Marlins history to not be charged with a loss through 15 starts to begin a season, which also marks the longest such streak in the Majors since the Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin (17 games from April 9-July 13, 2022). Entering Sunday’s series finale, Meyer was tied for 11th among NL pitchers in fWAR (1.8) and ranked fourth among qualified NL pitchers for lowest average against (.196), slightly ahead of Skenes (.197). He already has surpassed his career win total (six) from 2022-25, as well as single-season marks for starts (15) and innings (85).
