The Cincinnati Reds will host the Miami Marlins on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park, bringing a 42–39 record into the contest as they try to reassert their footing in the National League Central race and gain momentum heading toward the All-Star break. The Reds have been a difficult team to figure out at times—they’ve flashed signs of offensive explosiveness and solid pitching depth, yet they’ve also dropped too many close games, particularly over the last two weeks where they’ve gone just 3–7 against the spread. Elly De La Cruz continues to be the engine that drives this club, posting 18 home runs and leading the team in hits while offering electrifying speed, a strong glove, and a growing presence as a middle-of-the-order threat. Around him, the Reds have received timely contributions from Spencer Steer, Will Benson, and TJ Friedl, who have each helped round out a lineup that’s dangerous when clicking but prone to cold spells if the top of the order doesn’t produce. Cincinnati’s offense is streaky but capable, especially at home where the dimensions of Great American Ball Park favor power bats and allow for quick swings in momentum. On the mound, the Reds are expected to continue rotating young starters with veteran guidance, as injuries and inconsistency have required the club to test its depth more than anticipated.

The bullpen has been mostly reliable, with closer Alexis Díaz proving his ability to shut down ninth innings and middle relievers like Fernando Cruz and Lucas Sims stepping up when called upon. Still, the Reds have struggled to maintain late leads in recent series, a factor that’s contributed to their uneven ATS record and dropped them into more nail-biters than necessary. Defensively, the Reds are above average, particularly in the infield where De La Cruz and Matt McLain have made for a dynamic duo when healthy, capable of turning slick double plays and making run-saving stops. Cincinnati has the edge in nearly every statistical category in this matchup, including slugging percentage, run differential, and overall team ERA, giving them a clear path to victory if they execute early and avoid gifting Miami extra outs or free passes. Despite their recent ATS skid, they’ve handled teams like the Marlins well at home, and with an offense that can break a game open in a single inning, they’ll look to do damage early and make the Marlins play from behind—a scenario Miami hasn’t handled well all year. Manager David Bell will likely emphasize urgency, knowing these are the kinds of games that good teams must win, especially at home against sub-.500 opponents. A strong showing on Tuesday would allow the Reds to potentially string together a winning streak, build confidence across the roster, and solidify their grip on a playoff chase that is very much within reach. With Elly De La Cruz surging and the rest of the offense primed to take advantage of Miami’s vulnerable pitching, Cincinnati is well positioned to bounce back and turn this midseason stretch into something more promising.