Edward Cabrera was in complete command Friday night at Truist Park, carving up the Atlanta Braves’ lineup and powering the Miami Marlins to a 5-1 victory. The 27-year-old right-hander struck out a season-high 11 batters over eight innings, marking the fifth double-digit strikeout game of his career and the 10th time this year he’s allowed one earned run or fewer.
Cabrera, whose career has oddly revolved around the number 20 — making exactly 20 starts in both 2023 and 2024 — reached the milestone again in early August. Friday’s outing also saw him set season bests in innings pitched (8), pitches thrown (109) and strikeouts (11). He allowed just one run on four hits while walking only two, dropping his ERA from 3.24 to 3.08 and improving to 6-5 on the year.
“I didn’t know about that,” Cabrera said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. when informed this was his 20th start. “That’s good to know, but it’s very important to stay healthy during the season, and that’s something that has been helping me a lot in this one.”
After missing significant time earlier this year with a right shoulder impingement that flared up in Spring Training and again in May, Cabrera has found a groove, delivering three straight months with a sub-3.00 ERA and giving up two earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 15 starts.
Miami’s offense gave Cabrera all the support he needed early. Xavier Edwards and rookies Jakob Marsee and Troy Johnston each chipped in an RBI, while fellow rookie Heriberto Hernández delivered the big blow — a two-run homer to left in the fifth inning, projected at 404 feet by Statcast, to give the Marlins a 5-0 lead.
The Braves, who managed just one run in the seventh, couldn’t solve Cabrera all night. Miami’s win pushed them to 57-58, just one game under .500, and set them up with a chance to reach the mark by sweeping Saturday’s day-night doubleheader against Atlanta.
For Cabrera, the numbers are starting to reflect the work he’s put in to stay healthy — and when he’s right, the Marlins are a tough team to beat.
