This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers has emerged as one of the top young talents in the majors, so it's no surprise that the team won't be trading him without receiving the right price.

Despite seeing their second-longest win streak of the season come to a halt, the four consecutive wins coming into Sunday — and the 21-11 record since June 13 — breathed life into a Marlins’ organization that feels they have enough to make a run in the second half of the season.

Things were a lot smoother for Royals starter Kris Bubic. The 2025 All-Star shut down the Marlins across five innings. He allowed three hits and registered two strikeouts before handing the game over to the Royals’ bullpen.

Their 19-10 record over the last month of play was tied for the most in the Majors. Their star outfielder Kyle Stowers showed up big in Atlanta when he hit a home run for the NL in the All-Star swing-off. They started to look like a club that could close out a series.

BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins face the Kansas City Royals with a 1-0 series lead. Miami has a 45-51 record overall and a 21-27 record at home. Marlins hitters are batting a collective .254, which ranks fourth in the NL.

Otto López hit a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth inning and the Miami Marlins beat the Kansas City Royals 3-1.

Shortstop Otto Lopez drove in all three runs as the host Miami Marlins won again, defeating the Kansas City Royals, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon.

What’s next: The Royals continue their weekend series at the Marlins. On Saturday, KC right-handed starter Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.74 ERA) will start opposite MLB veteran Cal Quantrill (3-8, 5.62 ERA) at 3:10 p.m. Central Time.

Everything you need to know about the MLB matchup between the Miami Marlins and the Kansas City Royals, including how to watch and team news.

The Kansas City Royals began the second half of the major league season on Friday night with an 8-7 loss against the Miami Marlins, falling in 10 innings. It was a disappointing loss for Kansas City,