MIAMI — The final home game of the year for the Miami Marlins is set for Sunday.
However, the spiritual end of the season will come Friday night, when Jose Fernandez — who has never lost at home — climbs the Marlins Park mound for the final time this year.
In 25 career home starts, the right-hander is an unfathomable 16-0 with a 1.11 ERA.
Since ERA became a stat in 1912, only one other pitcher had a lower ERA in his first 25 home starts — Ferdie Schupp of the New York Giants, who had a 1.05 ERA from 1913-1917.
And that was during the “dead ball” era.
Fernandez deadens opponents’ bats the old-fashioned way — with an electric fastball and nasty breaking pitches.
With a win Friday, he would set the major league record for most consecutive home victories to start a career.
Marlins manager Dan Jennings said he couldn’t really understand why Fernandez has been so much more dominant at home than he has been on the road.
“Maybe it’s because he loves Miami and the ‘305’,” Jennings said referring to the city’s area code. “I’m not sure. I’m just glad we’re at home (Friday) because he’s pretty special here.”
Away from home, Fernandez is a mere 5-8 with a 3.82 ERA in his career.
“I’ve been asked that question a couple times this week by close friends,” Fernandez said when asked about the disparity between his home and road records. “I’ve been trying to figure that out, too.
“It’s great to pitch at home, and the numbers at home are great. But why aren’t they the same on the road? That’s one of my goals for next year. I want to figure that out.”
