Plenty of excitement, but also plenty of questions as Cincinnati Reds open season
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is Thursday in Cincinnati where — get this — there is excitement. And expectations. Big expectations for the first time in a long, long time.
In fact, when the Reds take on the Washington Nationals at 4:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park, the opener comes as many prognosticators are picking manager David Bell and company to at least contend for the National League Central crown if not win the division outright, something that hasn’t happened since 2012.
After all, after losing 100 games in 2022, the Reds finished 82-80 in 2023 thanks to a roster heavy on glittering young talent that the franchise believes forms a core for a successful future.
Start with 26-year-old Spencer Steer, who hit .271 with 23 homers in 156 games a year ago. And 24-year-old Matt McLain, the infielder who hit .290 with 16 homers last season. And 22-year-old Elly De La Cruz whose speed and flash thrilled Reds fans in 98 games a season ago. And 24-year-old Christian Encarnacion-Strand who hit 13 homers in 63 games.
Alas, the Reds suffered an injury-riddled spring training in Arizona. McLain is out with a shoulder problem, his return yet to be determined. Starting center fielder TJ Friedl, who hit .279 in 138 games last season, is out at least six weeks with a broken wrist. Starting pitcher Nick Lodolo is expected to start the season on the Injured List after offseason shoulder surgery and a nagging leg injury.
If healthy, the Reds have the makings of a pitching rotation with a bright future built around 24-year-old Hunter Greene, 25-year-old Andrew Abbott, 26-year-old Lodolo, 26-year-old Graham Ashcraft and 26-year-old Brandon Williamson, who may also start the season on IL because of shoulder issues.
In fact, 31-year-old Frankie Montas will be the Reds’ starting pitcher on opening day. Montas was 13-9 with a 3.37 ERA with Oakland in 2021, but has pitched 41 innings since because of a shoulder injury. He pitched all of 1 1/3 innings last season before the Reds signed Montas in the offseason for rotation depth.
More question marks exist. The 22-year-old third baseman Noelvi Marte hit .316 in 35 games with the big league club but will miss the first 80 games after a positive PED test. After a fast start, De La Cruz hit just .191 over the final 65 games. After winning NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2021, Jonathan India hit .249 in 2022 and .244 last season. Steer is learning a new position in left field. And 30-year-old free agent signee Jeimer Candelario must fit into the mix as yet another infielder.
Despite the abundance of young hitters, the success of the Reds’ season will probably come down to pitching. General manager Nick Krall added Brent Suter and Emilio Pagan to fortify a shaky bullpen behind closer Alexis Diaz, who saved 37 games a year ago.
The rotation is the key. Greene hasn’t reached the potential that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft. Lodolo posted a 3.66 ERA in 19 starts as a rookie in 2022, but pitched in seven games last season. Ashcraft slumped badly in the middle of last season before regaining his form near the end. After a strong start, Abbott ran out of gas down the stretch.
Watch out for Rhett Lowder, the 22-year-old right-hander who was the second pitcher selected in the 2023 MLB draft. The former Wake Forest star was stellar in the Reds’ “Breakout Game” this spring against the Rangers. If the rotation falters, Lowder could be on the fast track for Cincinnati sooner rather than later.
The NL Central is there for the taking. Milwaukee lost manager Craig Counsell to the Cubs and traded pitching ace Corbin Burnes to Baltimore. St. Louis lost 91 games a year ago. Pittsburgh is a bit behind the Reds in the rebuild phase. Five of CBS Sports’ six baseball experts picked Chicago to win the division.
Still, the Reds begin 2024 as a team to watch. That’s cause enough for excitement.
Thursday
Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds
What: 2024 season opener
Where: Great American Ball Park
When: 4:10 p.m.
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
