The Miami Marlins enter Thursday’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds as one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball, riding an 11-game road winning streak and having completely dominated the first three games of the series with a combined score of 22–5. Miami has surged in recent weeks to improve their record to 40–48, a dramatic turnaround from their early-season struggles thanks to a rejuvenated pitching staff and an offense that has finally found its rhythm. Leading the charge has been second baseman Xavier Edwards, who recorded multiple hits and three RBIs in Tuesday’s win, and outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, whose consistency at the plate has helped anchor the lineup. Young shortstop Jacob Amaya and veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt have also delivered key contributions, giving manager Skip Schumaker more flexibility in crafting matchups. The Marlins’ pitching has played a major role in this winning streak, with Eury Pérez delivering another solid outing earlier in the series, allowing only one run over five efficient innings. Edward Cabrera is expected to take the mound in the finale, and after returning from injury, he has posted excellent numbers, including a sub-3.00 ERA in his last five starts, keeping hitters off balance with his electric fastball-changeup combination and better command.

Miami’s bullpen, once a concern, has settled into form with reliable arms like Tanner Scott and Anthony Bender closing out tight contests, and the team’s overall ERA has dropped significantly since mid-June. Perhaps most impressively, the Marlins have excelled against the spread (ATS), covering in 12 of their last 13 games and going 5–0 ATS in their last five on the road, signaling a team that not only wins but often exceeds expectations. They’ve been opportunistic, aggressive on the bases, and have shown excellent situational hitting, especially with runners in scoring position. The Marlins’ clubhouse vibe has shifted as well, with veterans like Josh Bell and Jesus Sanchez setting the tone and younger players feeding off that energy. While they’re still below .500 overall, Miami’s recent play has catapulted them into Wild Card contention in the National League, and with trade deadline season approaching, they may transition from potential sellers to aggressive buyers if this momentum continues. Thursday’s matchup represents a major opportunity to complete a rare four-game road sweep and continue climbing the standings heading into the All-Star break. If Cabrera continues his recent dominance and the lineup stays hot, especially against a Reds team struggling to pitch and defend effectively, the Marlins are poised to make another strong statement that their early-season woes are firmly behind them. With each win building confidence and cohesion, this Miami team is starting to look like a legitimate playoff threat, and a sweep in Cincinnati could be yet another step in a remarkable midseason turnaround.