The Cincinnati Reds (7-3) carry a four-game winning streak into Tuesday night's matchup against the Miami Marlins (6-4), with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. ET at loanDepot park. It's the marquee pitching matchup of the early season: left-hander Andrew Abbott takes on right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who hasn't allowed an earned run in 2026.
The Pitching Matchup
Abbott enters his third start of the season with an 0-1 record and 3.09 ERA across 11.2 innings. He was sharp in his season debut, holding the Red Sox scoreless over six innings on Opening Day, but took the loss against Pittsburgh after allowing four earned runs on April 1.
Alcantara has been the most dominant pitcher in baseball through the first two weeks. The right-hander owns a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 0.56 WHIP, surrendering zero earned runs across 16 innings. His last outing was a masterpiece — a complete-game shutout against the White Sox on April 1, needing just 93 pitches. He has struck out 12 and walked just two in what has been a spectacular full return from the Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2024 season.
Reds Offense Heating Up
Cincinnati will need to crack a pitcher who has been nearly unhittable, but the lineup has been clicking during the winning streak. Elly De La Cruz leads the club with three home runs and turned in a two-hit performance in yesterday's 2-0 series-opening win. Tyler Stephenson has delivered clutch power, launching a go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth inning on April 3 against Texas and adding a solo shot yesterday for insurance.
The bullpen has been a weapon during this four-game run. Emilio Pagan has collected four saves in the early going, while Brock Burke earned his first career save on April 5 by striking out the side in the ninth to complete the sweep in Texas.
Marlins to Watch
Miami's lineup has been competitive despite a rash of injuries. Xavier Edwards is off to a scorching start, hitting .471 through nine games, while catcher Liam Hicks has emerged as the team's most dangerous bat with a .333 average, three home runs, and 12 RBI. The Marlins are without Kyle Stowers (hamstring), Christopher Morel (oblique), and Esteury Ruiz (oblique), which has thinned their depth considerably.
Keys to the Game
The Reds' plate approach against Alcantara will define this game. Working deep counts and forcing the right-hander to elevate his pitch count early could prevent another extended outing. Cincinnati's ability to manufacture runs without relying solely on the long ball will be critical against a pitcher giving up this little contact.
For Abbott, the task is straightforward: keep the Marlins' hot hitters in check and give the offense every chance to work against Alcantara. A quality start from the lefty would set the stage for the bullpen to protect any lead the Reds can build.
This is the toughest test of the winning streak. Alcantara looks every bit like the 2022 Cy Young winner who dominated the National League before his injury. But the Reds have been finding ways to win on the road all season, and they have the talent to make it five straight.
