Short Answer

Both the model and the market expect Fernando Tatis Jr.: 1+, with no compelling evidence of mispricing.

1. Executive Verdict

  • Fernando Tatis Jr. is most likely to steal, with 25 bases this season.
  • San Diego's aggressive baserunning and Miami's weak defense boost steal potential.

Who Wins and Why

Outcome Market Model Why
Fernando Tatis Jr.: 1+ 0.0% 1.2% Fernando Tatis Jr. may attempt to steal a base if an opportunity arises during the game.
Jackson Merrill: 1+ 0.0% 0.0% Jackson Merrill may attempt to steal a base if an opportunity arises during the game.
Manny Machado: 1+ 0.0% 0.0% Manny Machado may attempt to steal a base if an opportunity arises during the game.

Current Context

Miami was favored to win the July 24, 2026 matchup. Predictive models and expert analysis favored the Miami Marlins to win their July 24, 2026 game against the San Diego Padres. This assessment cited Miami's 31-20 home record and superior team statistics in pitching and offense compared to the Padres' 50-52 overall record [^][^]. Betting markets supported this outlook, setting the moneyline at Miami -138 and San Diego +114, with an over/under of 9 runs [^].
Both teams ranked highly in total stolen bases. The Padres and Marlins entered the game closely matched in stolen base activity. The Marlins ranked 2nd in MLB with 107 stolen bases, while the Padres ranked 3rd with 106 stolen bases as of July 24, 2026 [^]. On a per-game basis, San Diego averaged 1.03 stolen bases and Miami averaged 1.04 stolen bases [^].
Key players were active base stealers for both clubs. Individual players contributed significantly to these stolen base totals. Fernando Tatis Jr. of San Diego had 25 steals on the season [^][^][^]. For Miami, Jazz Chisholm Jr. led with 26 stolen bases [^]. Notably, the Miami Marlins are identified as a team that allows a high number of stolen bases, at 0.96 per game [^].

2. Market Behavior & Price Dynamics

Historical Price (Probability)

Outcome probability
Date
This market is inactive. With only two recorded price points and zero trading volume, the contract has seen no meaningful price discovery. The price has moved from an initial 12% to 14%, a negligible change in an untraded market. The current price level simply reflects an opening offer and not a consensus reached through trading activity. The absence of volume indicates a complete lack of market participation and conviction around this contract.
Given the lack of trading, there are no price movements to correlate with external factors. The provided context indicates both the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins ranked highly in stolen bases (3rd and 2nd in MLB, respectively). This fundamental factor is not reflected in any market reaction because no trading has occurred. The low implied probability of 14% suggests the market may be for a specific, less likely event than a simple stolen base by either team.
Due to the zero-volume environment, no support or resistance levels have been established. The chart shows no discernible market sentiment. The price data is insufficient for any technical analysis, representing only a stale quote rather than an active market consensus.

3. Market Data

View on Kalshi →

Contract Snapshot

This market resolves to YES if Fernando Tatis Jr. records at least one stolen base in the San Diego vs Miami game on July 24, 2026, and NO if he records zero, provided he is in the starting lineup and records at least one plate appearance. The market will resolve to Fair Market Price if he does not start, is scratched, or starts but fails to record a plate appearance; pinch-hit at-bats do not count towards normal settlement. The market opened July 24, 2026, and closes after the outcome or by July 27, 2026, 7:10 PM EDT, with payouts projected 5 minutes after closing.

Available Contracts

Market options and current pricing

Outcome bucket Yes (price) No (price) Last trade probability
Fernando Tatis Jr.: 1+ $0.19 $0.85 0%
Jackson Merrill: 1+ $0.15 $0.92 0%
Manny Machado: 1+ $0.04 $0.98 0%

Market Discussion

The San Diego Padres are scheduled to play the Miami Marlins on July 24, 2026 [^]. Betting analysis for stolen base props in this game indicates widespread favor for "Under 0.5" stolen bases for key Padres hitters, with low confidence in attempts for those players [^]. While both teams are aggressive base-stealing clubs, ranking 2nd and 3rd in MLB respectively, betting commentary prioritizes individual player performance trends over team statistics for prop betting [^]. No specialized, expert-curated market discussion specifically forecasts the number of stolen bases for this particular contest [^].

4. How do Fernando Tatis Jr.'s, Jackson Merrill's, and Manny Machado's 2026 stolen base statistics compare head-to-head?

Fernando Tatis Jr. Stolen Bases25 (as of July 24, 2026) [^][^][^]
Jackson Merrill Stolen Bases20 (as of July 24, 2026) [^][^][^]
Manny Machado Stolen Bases1 (as of July 24, 2026) [^][^]
Fernando Tatis Jr. leads in stolen bases as of July 24, 2026. During the 2026 MLB regular season, Fernando Tatis Jr. has accumulated 25 stolen bases [^][^][^]. Jackson Merrill follows with 20 stolen bases for the same period [^][^][^]. Manny Machado has recorded significantly fewer, with just 1 stolen base during the 2026 MLB regular season [^][^].
Tatis Jr. significantly outpaces teammates in 2026 stolen base totals. In a direct comparison among the three players as of July 24, 2026, Fernando Tatis Jr. holds the highest number of stolen bases [^][^][^]. Jackson Merrill ranks second [^][^][^], while Manny Machado trails considerably with the fewest stolen bases recorded [^][^].

5. What impact will the Miami Marlins' starting pitcher and catcher on July 24, 2026, have on the Padres' stolen base potential?

Pitcher's Impact on Running GamePrimary role [^][^][^]
Catcher's Impact on Running GameSecondary role [^][^][^]
Catcher Pop-Time EffectApproximately +12% stolen base attempt odds per 0.1 seconds [^]
Specific player impact on stolen bases for July 24, 2026, is unknown. On July 24, 2026, the Miami Marlins had not announced their starting pitcher, listed as "TBD" in pre-game reports, and the catcher for that game was not specified in the available information [^][^]. Consequently, the precise influence of these players on the San Diego Padres' potential for stolen bases cannot be determined from the existing data.
Pitchers primarily control the running game through hold time and delivery. General Major League Baseball research indicates that a pitcher's hold time and their ability to deliver the ball to home plate quickly are the primary determinants in managing the running game [^][^][^]. Statistical models further emphasize that a pitcher's "threat," which refers to their hold ability, significantly impacts the odds of a stolen base attempt [^].
Catcher attributes play a secondary, more marginal role. While catcher pop-time and arm strength are factors in the running game, their influence is generally considered secondary when compared to the pitcher's role [^][^][^]. The effects of a catcher's pop-time are described as relatively marginal, contributing approximately +12% to stolen base attempt odds for every 0.1 seconds [^].

6. What do Fernando Tatis Jr.'s baserunning trends in July 2026 indicate about his likelihood of stealing a base against the Marlins?

Tatis Jr. Season Stolen Bases25 (through July 24) [^]
Tatis Jr. July OBP.383 [^][^]
Tatis Jr. Steal Base Odds vs Marlins+365 [^]
Fernando Tatis Jr. shows a strong propensity for stealing bases. He has recorded 25 stolen bases in the 2026 season as of July 24, with 4 of these occurring in July alone [^]. His ability to reach base frequently further supports baserunning attempts, evidenced by a.383 on-base percentage during July 2026 [^][^].
The Marlins' defense is vulnerable to stolen base attempts. The Miami Marlins rank 30th in Major League Baseball for stolen bases allowed per game, conceding an average of 0.94 steals [^][^]. This defensive weakness, combined with Tatis Jr.'s proven stolen base success, is reflected in prediction markets, which list him at +365 to steal a base in the July 24, 2026, game against the Marlins [^].

7. How do the overall team baserunning strategies of the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins compare for the 2026 season?

San Diego Padres Stolen Bases106 (as of July 24, 2026) [^][^][^]
Miami Marlins Stolen Bases107 (as of July 24, 2026) [^][^][^]
Data as ofJuly 24, 2026 [^][^][^]
As of July 24, 2026, the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins exhibit striking baserunning aggression and nearly identical stolen base totals. The Padres have recorded 106 stolen bases, while the Marlins closely trail with 107 [^][^][^]. Both organizations have strategically embraced aggressive baserunning tactics to offset offensive difficulties and to exert continuous pressure on opposing teams [^][^][^][^][^][^][^].
The San Diego Padres, managed by Craig Stammen in 2026, embrace an aggressive, "old-school" baserunning philosophy. This intentional, high-energy approach aims to mitigate the team's offensive struggles, including low on-base plus slugging (OPS) and hits, and consistently generate pressure on opposing pitchers [^][^][^][^].
Similarly, the Miami Marlins cultivate a "hard-running" culture through organizational mandate. This standard, established by the coaching staff and front office, emphasizes all-out hustle, calculated risks on the basepaths, and leveraging aggressive baserunning to spark rallies and address previous seasons of underperformance [^][^][^].

8. Under what specific game scenarios would Manny Machado, a less frequent baserunner, be most likely to attempt a steal on July 24?

Stolen Bases (2026, as of July 24)2 [^][^][^][^][^]
Most Likely Steal DateJuly 24 [^][^][^]
Steal SituationHigh-leverage, late-game [^][^][^]
Manny Machado would likely attempt a steal in high-leverage, late-game situations. On July 24, 2026, such an opportunistic move by Machado would primarily occur when the San Diego Padres are attempting to overcome a deficit or striving to secure an insurance run [^][^][^]. This would be an unusual play for Machado, as he has recorded only two stolen bases for the entire 2026 season as of that date, indicating he is not a frequent baserunner [^][^][^][^][^].
Specific game conditions would be necessary for Machado to attempt a steal. For such an infrequent baserunner, he would need to be on base with favorable conditions, such as facing a pitcher with a slow delivery to maximize his chances of success [^][^][^]. Given his typical baserunning habits, any stolen base by Machado would likely be executed as a "surprise" play, potentially occurring when the opposing defense is distracted or if he receives specific authorization based on scouting reports of the Miami Marlins' pitchers [^][^].

9. What Could Change the Odds

Key Catalysts

Bullish factors for stolen bases in the July 24, 2026, matchup between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres included both teams' high offensive stolen base rates and the Marlins' defensive vulnerability. The Marlins ranked 2nd in MLB with 1.04 stolen bases per game, while the Padres ranked 3rd with 1.03 stolen bases per game [^]. Miami's defense allowed 0.94 stolen bases per game, the worst rate in MLB (30th) [^][^]. The Padres were also among the league leaders in stolen bases for the 2026 season [^]. Individual players like Fernando Tatis Jr. (25 stolen bases) for the Padres and Esteury Ruiz (22 stolen bases) for the Marlins were active on the basepaths [^][^][^]. These high team rankings and the Marlins' league-worst defensive efficiency against base stealers were key bullish catalysts [^].
Conversely, bearish indicators for stolen bases stemmed from the Padres' defensive capabilities and the anticipated game flow. The Padres allowed 0.60 stolen bases per game, ranking 10th in MLB defensively against base stealers [^][^]. The betting market for the game, with a Miami -1.5 spread and an over/under of 9 runs, suggested a tight contest [^][^][^]. Such low-scoring, tight matchups can limit baserunning opportunities, thereby reducing the probability of stolen bases [^].

Key Dates & Catalysts

  • Expiration: July 27, 2026
  • Closes: July 27, 2026

10. Decision-Flipping Events

  • Trigger: Bullish factors for stolen bases in the July 24, 2026, matchup between the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres included both teams' high offensive stolen base rates and the Marlins' defensive vulnerability.
  • Trigger: The Marlins ranked 2nd in MLB with 1.04 stolen bases per game, while the Padres ranked 3rd with 1.03 stolen bases per game [^] .
  • Trigger: Miami's defense allowed 0.94 stolen bases per game, the worst rate in MLB (30th) [^] [^] .
  • Trigger: The Padres were also among the league leaders in stolen bases for the 2026 season [^] .

12. Historical Resolutions

Historical Resolutions: 20 markets in this series

Outcomes: 0 resolved YES, 20 resolved NO

Recent resolutions:

  • KXMLBSB-26JUL231840KCDET-DETZMCKINSTRY39-1: NO (Jul 24, 2026)
  • KXMLBSB-26JUL231840KCDET-DETSTORKELSON20-1: NO (Jul 24, 2026)
  • KXMLBSB-26JUL231840KCDET-DETRGREENE31-1: NO (Jul 24, 2026)
  • KXMLBSB-26JUL231840KCDET-KCNLOFTIN12-1: NO (Jul 24, 2026)
  • KXMLBSB-26JUL231840KCDET-KCMMASSEY19-1: NO (Jul 24, 2026)