Florida (23-15) at Cincinnati (16-23)

Few predicted that the Florida Marlins would be among the majors’ best teams. Fewer still thought Cincinnati Reds right-hander Edinson Volquez would emerge as one of baseball’s top starters.

Six weeks into the season, however, it’s hard to deny the Marlins or Volquez their spots among the elite.

After having their season-high win streak snapped in the series opener, the Marlins go for their eighth win in nine games as they face Volquez and the Reds on Tuesday night in a matchup between two of the NL’s biggest surprises.

Florida (23-15) is tied for the best record in baseball despite having traded their top run producer and the franchise leader in wins in the offseason and owning the lowest payroll in the majors. The losses of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis didn’t stop the young Marlins from winning seven straight from May 4-11.

That run ended on Monday night, however, when the Marlins blew a 3-0 lead and lost 8-7 at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

“You never feel secure in this ballpark,” Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez told the team’s official Web site. “You can put a big number up, just like they can. If you walk a guy or two, the next guy can hit one out of the ballpark. You never feel safe.”

That victory was the fourth in seven games for the Reds (16-23), but they haven’t won consecutive games since a three-game streak April 26-28, and they remain in last place in the NL Central.

While the Reds have disappointed early this year, Volquez (5-1, 1.06 ERA) has far exceeded expectations. The right-hander entered the season with a 3-11 record and a 7.20 ERA in 20 major league games spanning three seasons—all with Texas. But he appears to have found the right fit with Cincinnati, winning five of his first seven starts and leading the NL in ERA. He’s also tied for second in the majors with 52 strikeouts.

Volquez held the Chicago Cubs to four hits while striking out 10 in a 9-0 victory on Wednesday. He still hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in any of his outings.

“The last two years, I haven’t thrown the ball like I’m throwing right now,” said Volquez, who’s making his first career appearance against the Marlins. “Every pitch I throw, I’ve got a reason for throwing. Before, I’d just throw a pitch.”

Mark Hendrickson (5-1, 3.56) takes the mound for the Marlins looking to win his sixth straight decision for the first time since he went 7-0 during an 11-start stretch from July 31-Sept. 25, 2005, while with Tampa Bay.

Hendrickson held Milwaukee to one run in 4 1-3 innings of Florida’s 7-2 win on Thursday, being lifted after throwing 109 pitches. He hasn’t lost since his opening day defeat against the New York Mets, and the Marlins are 6-2 when the left-hander starts.

Hendrickson, though, is still looking for his first career win over the Reds. He’s 0-1 with an 8.84 ERA in four career starts against them, including 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two starts last season.

Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is 5-for-8 with one home run and three walks in his career against Hendrickson. Griffey, who hasn’t homered since an April 23 loss to Houston, remains three home runs shy of becoming the sixth player ever to reach 600.