The Cincinnati Reds welcome the Miami Marlins to Great American Ball Park on Friday, August 14, 2026, for a 6:10 PM ET first pitch. Chase Burns gets the ball for Cincinnati against Miami's Sandy Alcantara in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup. With the home crowd behind them, the Reds have a chance to make a statement in a series that carries real weight for where this club stands heading into the final stretch of the season.

Pitching Matchup: Chase Burns vs. Sandy Alcantara

Burns is the headliner here, and rightfully so. The young right-hander has been one of the most closely watched arms in the Cincinnati organization, and when he takes the mound at Great American Ball Park, the energy in the ballpark reflects it. He'll need to bring his best stuff against a Marlins lineup that, whatever its overall standing, will not hand him a clean night.

Alcantara on the other side is no stranger to big moments. The Miami right-hander has long been regarded as one of the more durable and capable starters in the National League. He attacks hitters with a deep arsenal and is comfortable working deep into games. The Reds' lineup will need to manufacture traffic early and not let him settle into a rhythm.

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup

• 1. Elly De La Cruz, SS
• 2. Sal Stewart, 3B
• 3. JJ Bleday, LF
• 4. Tyler Stephenson, C
• 5. Eugenio Suárez, DH
• 6. Michael Toglia, 1B
• 7. Dane Myers, CF
• 8. Noelvi Marte, RF
• 9. Matt McLain, 2B

Keys to Watch for the Reds

Elly De La Cruz Setting the Table

De La Cruz leading off is the engine that makes this offense go. If he gets on base and uses his speed to apply pressure, it changes the entire complexion of an at-bat for every hitter behind him. Alcantara will have a plan for him. The question is whether De La Cruz can disrupt it.

Middle of the Order Producing Against a Quality Arm

Bleday, Stephenson, and Suárez batting third through fifth represent the heart of this lineup. Alcantara is exactly the type of pitcher who can carve through a lineup if those bats go quiet. The Reds need at least two of those three to do damage.

Matt McLain Rounding Into Form

McLain hitting ninth keeps the lineup cycling. How he performs against a pitcher of Alcantara's caliber is worth tracking — a productive at-bat from the nine-hole can be just as damaging as one from the middle of the order when the lineup turns over.

Prediction

This is a low-scoring game waiting to happen. Both Burns and Alcantara have the capability to keep run totals down, and neither bullpen will be asked to carry a heavy load if the starters are sharp. The Reds get the edge at home. Burns handles his business, De La Cruz creates enough chaos on the bases, and Cincinnati takes the opener. Reds 3, Marlins 1.

Catch the game on Reds.TV or on the radio at WLW 700 AM.