The Miami Marlins start a six-game road trip in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a three-game series against the Reds.

Both National League teams are within reach of the last Wild Card spot, currently owned by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Marlins are closer, 2.5 games behind, but the lack of road success (24-35) needs to flip to keep climbing the standings.

The Reds will start righty Chase Burns in Friday’s series opener. He’s produced a 2.61 ERA and a 13-2 record in 124 innings (22 starts). Burns earned his first All-Star nod this season and currently leads the league in win-loss percentage (86.7). He relies on three pitches:

- Four Seamer (56.3 percent)

- Slider (38.4 percent)

- Changeup (5.3 percent)

Burns is well above-average in fastball velocity (92nd percentile), chase rate (86th percentile), whiff rate (90th percentile), and strikeout rate (87th percentile). He has a 1.12 WHIP on the season.

The Marlins are rolling with former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. He’s produced a 3.52 ERA and a 13-6 record in 163.2 innings (25 starts). Alcantara has collected a win in his last three appearances on the mound. He relies on seven pitches:

- Sinker (26.3 percent)

- Changeup (20.5 percent)

- Four Seamer (19.5 percent)

- Cutter (14.6 percent)

- Sweeper (8.9 percent)

- Slider (6.7 percent)

- Curveball (3.4 percent)

Alcantara has an outstanding pitching run value (94th percentile), fastball run value (97th percentile), and breaking run value (76th percentile).

The Marlins released the starting lineup and Graham Pauley will start at first base. The 25-year-old is naturally in the left infield corner. As Kyle Stowers (left hamstring strain) remains on the 10-day injured list, Manager Clayton McCullough is likely to try out different personnel at first base. Pauley is batting at the bottom of the lineup.

Shortstop and two-time All-Star Elly De La Cruz is the Reds’ leadoff hitter. He’s batting .268 with a .838 OPS (new career high), including 107 hits in 399 at-bats, 18 doubles, five triples, 56 runs batted in, and 20 home runs in 101 games. De La Cruz is a switch-hitter, but he will likely bat righty against Alcantara.

Friday’s game will be televised on Reds.TV and Marlins.TV. For radio options, you can listen to the Reds’ broadcast on WLW 700 and the Marlins’ broadcast on 560AM WQAM and WAQI 710. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. E.T.