PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW
   (FLORIDA-CINCINNATI)



*Red-hot Marlins go for eighth straight win*




Florida (23-14) at Cincinnati (15-23)                7:10 pm EDT


CINCINNATI (Ticker) - The surprising Florida Marlins look to
continue their winning ways when they visit the Cincinnati Reds
in the opener of a four-game set Monday.


Despite easily owning the lowest payroll in baseball, Florida
has reeled off seven straight wins and holds a three-game lead 
in the National League East.


The Marlins boast baseball's best road record at 11-5 after
completing a three-game sweep at the Washington Nationals over
the weekend.


Dan Uggla blasted two home runs, including the go-ahead solo
shot in the eighth on Sunday, capping a three-run inning that
gave Florida a 5-4 win.  The Marlins second baseman now has 11
home runs this season.


Rookie Burke Badenhop (1-2, 6.31 ERA) looks to continue the
Marlins early season success, as he goes for his second straight
victory.


The 23-year-old righthander earned his first major league win,
allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 6-2 victory over
Milwaukee on Wednesday.


He will be opposed by Aaron Harang (1-5, 3.09), who has not
benefited from any run support so far this season.


The Reds ace lost just six games all of last season but has
dropped his last three starts and four straight decisions.
Harang has gotten just three runs of support during his last
three outings.


The righthander allowed three runs in seven innings as the Reds
were shutout, 3-0, by Chicago last Tuesday.