MIAMI -- Just like that, the Marlins head back on the road, hoping for better results than last time. The club went 1-8 against the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Pirates in its third straight -- and final -- three-city trip of the season. The Marlins returned home this week to go 4-2 against the Rockies and Braves, capturing both series.

In the homestand finale, Pablo López went just three innings and a late rally fell short in a 6-4 loss to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park.

“The homestand in general was good, kind of got back on track," manager Don Mattingly said. "Offensively, it seemed like our energy got back to where it needs to be, so that part was good. We walk into the next series, we've got to play well on this trip. Two tough cities, and then see where we're at."

Below are trends the Marlins hope carry over in St. Louis and Chicago:

Bullpen returns to form

After López's short outing, four relievers combined for six innings, giving up two runs. They recorded six holds in six games, while Yimi García and Dylan Floro recorded saves on Friday and Saturday, respectively, to secure a series win over Atlanta.

Last road trip: 28 2/3 IP, 5.97 ERA, 1 HR, 25 K, 13 BB
Of note: Nine runs allowed in the eighth inning; four blown saves

This homestand: 21 IP, 3.43 ERA, 2 HR, 21 K, 9 BB
Of note: Four runs allowed in the eighth inning; no blown saves

“It was a tough road trip,” Floro said on Saturday. “Any time you do a road trip like that, it's not much fun, makes games long and wears you out. But we came home [and] responded well so far. Everyone's doing their part. The bullpen stepping in [and] putting up zeros, the starters are going deep. The guys are putting up runs. We're playing good baseball right now. It's fun to watch.”

Timely hits

Entering Sunday, Miami had scored nearly half of its runs with two outs (42.3%, 107 of 253) this season. That continues a trend from last year, which saw the Marlins score 122 of their 263 runs (46.4%) with two outs, the highest percentage in the Majors per Elias Sports Bureau.

But that was missing on the 1-8 trip, as Miami averaged three runs per game, scoring three runs or fewer in all but two of them. Never was it more magnified than with runners in scoring position. Two of the Marlins’ runs on Sunday came with two outs in the fifth.

Last road trip: .133 BA, 14 R, .203 wOBA with RISP
.208 BA, 9 R, .287 wOBA with two outs
Of note: Second-lowest average; fewest runs and tied for worst wOBA

This homestand entering Sunday: .341 BA, 20 R, .355 wOBA with RISP
.383 BA, 13 R, .452 wOBA with two outs
Of note: Best average with two outs in MLB; second-most runs

Starters putting in work

López opened the homestand with a career-high eight frames, but he needed 39 pitches to complete a three-run first that set the tone. His short start was a rarity since Miami’s eight-game skid. The club had won five of seven entering Sunday, with its starters going 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA. The Marlins will go as far as their starting pitcher takes them, led by Sandy Alcantara, López and rookie Trevor Rogers.

“It's very frustrating,” López said. “You try to prepare so well. You try to do everything to just go out there, show up and show up for your bullpen, help the team out. Just being able to go three innings, especially with that many pitches. That limited me to how much I [could] help and contribute today, 'cause as a starter, that's all I want to do.“