As of Might thirtieth, the Reds at the moment sit in third place within the Nationwide League Central with a file of 24-29. They’re solely 2 video games again of the Pirates for 2nd place and 4 video games again of the primary place Brewers. After the beginning Cincinnati had final yr, I consider followers must be greater than happy with how Cincinnati is enjoying by means of Might. With the Crimson Sox collection upcoming, together with a 4 recreation collection in opposition to the Brewers, this week is a very powerful week of Reds baseball to date this yr. Floor could possibly be coated after this week and in the event that they play like they did in opposition to the Cubs, Cincinnati may actually make a push for the primary place spot within the division. The Reds odds to win the division at the moment sits at +5000, so seize $200 and lay it down on the Redlegs, as I actually consider you possibly can be raking in $10,000 on our hometown workforce come late September…Right here’s why:
· Reinforcements are on their method. Encarnacion-Strand, De La Cruz, Hopkins, and Abbott are awaiting their name as much as the large leagues. De La Cruz just lately was awarded the #1 spot on the highest 100 prospect checklist and is enjoying nicely sufficient for individuals to name him “the longer term face of baseball.” With these reinforcements quickly to make an influence, the roster turns into that rather more harmful on a day-to-day foundation.
· As a workforce, the Reds at the moment have the worst ERA in all of baseball concerning beginning pitching. Regardless of the horrific begin, they’re nonetheless practically enjoying .500 baseball. Lodolo will ultimately get wholesome, Ashcraft will enhance, and Greene will proceed to get again to his outdated self. With the great play from Weaver, Williamson, and Vigorous, I consider this workforce might be again to .500 earlier than mid-June.
· The bullpen has been method higher than I anticipated. Alexis Diaz fairly probably could possibly be the perfect nearer in baseball. Gibaut, Legislation, Younger, and Sims have performed good baseball regardless of being overworked.
· The Nationwide League Central is a really weak division. The Pirates are coming again to actuality and the Brewers simply merely don’t have sufficient bats of their lineup to win many video games. The Brewers are final within the division with reference to runs scored and maintain a run differential of -21. In some unspecified time in the future, their lack of offense will present….This weekend could be a great time to benefit from this.
How can the Reds Squeeze Younger Expertise of their Lineup?
As a substitute of having fun with the off-day yesterday, Reds twitter appeared to blow up over the weekend with many panicking over an article concerning Jonathan India. Belief me after I say that Jonathan India isn’t going anyplace. Jonathan India is the chief of this workforce and he’ll proceed to carry out at second base. I might be extremely shocked in the event that they even switched him positions, as we’re mid-year within the 2023 season. The Reds drafted all shortstops for a cause, and that’s as a result of they’re essentially the most athletic individual on the sector. Which means, should you get drafted as a shortstop by the Reds, be ready to play different positions, as that’s what is in retailer. Here’s what I consider the Reds lineup will quickly seem like, barring any main accidents:
· C – Stephenson/Maile
· 1B – Votto/Steer/Encarnacion-Strand
· 2B – India/McLain
· SS – McLain/De La Cruz
· 3B – Steer/De La Cruz
· RF – Senzel/Hopkins
· CF- Friedl/Barrero
· LF – Fraley (RHP)/Fairchild
· DH – Encarnacion-Strand/Votto/Stephenson/India
And naturally, there might be enjoying time for Myers, Benson, and Newman. I consider as soon as the time comes the place the prospects are known as up, this lineup is essentially the most harmful within the Nationwide League Central. Relying on who’s pitching, my superb lineup contains:
1 – Jonathan India
2 – Matt McLain
3 – TJ Friedl
4 – Jake Fraley
5 – Spencer Steer/Encarnacion-Strand
6 – De La Cruz
7 – Joey Votto
8 – Nick Senzel
9 – Tyler Stephenson
Seize your popcorn and maintain on tight, because the Redlegs are about to make a believer out of the numerous followers who doubted the plans this time final season!