Preview: Reds at Marlins, Tuesday, April 7, 2026

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Interstat) — Two early-season National League contenders with identical records will meet Tuesday when the Cincinnati Reds visit the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.

Both teams enter the series opener at 6-3, coming off road series wins. The Reds took three of four from the Texas Rangers, capped by a 2-1 victory Sunday. The Marlins won their weekend set against the New York Yankees, including a 7-6 comeback win Sunday.

The pitching matchup features a contrast in early results. Miami’s Sandy Alcantara (2-0) takes the mound in strong form, while Cincinnati’s Andrew Abbott (0-1) seeks his first win.

A player to watch for the Reds is rookie right-hander Chase Burns, who shined in Sunday’s win at Texas. Burns allowed one run over six innings with nine strikeouts. In his previous start, a 2-0 win over Pittsburgh, he threw five scoreless innings with one hit allowed and seven strikeouts.

For the Marlins, right-hander Chris Paddack is a key figure. He delivered 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in Sunday’s victory at New York. His season, however, has been uneven, highlighted by a rough start on March 30 where he allowed eight runs in four innings against the Chicago White Sox.

The Reds won the first game of this series 2-0 on Monday. Interstat’s game simulator projects a high-scoring affair Tuesday, forecasting a 6-5 Cincinnati victory. Miami has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 7 runs.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Following this three-game set, the Reds return home to face the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The Marlins embark on a six-game road trip starting Friday in Detroit.