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Cincinnati Reds Season Predictions | 2012 Season Betting Preview

2012 MLB Handicapping: Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds followed-up their 2010 NL Central Division title with a disappointing 79-83 record and third-place finish in 2011.

MLB Team Betting Previews – Cincinnati Reds
Odds to Win the NL Central: +140
Odds to Win the National League Pennant: +600
Odds to Win the World Series: +1200
2012 Projected Win Total: 87

Instead of going out and trying to reinvent themselves with various offseason acquisitions, the Reds focused of making sure they kept the star power on their current roster intact, which is more than can be said for some of the other contending teams in the division.

Joey Votto leads a Cincinnati lineup that ended the 2011 season tied for seventh in the NL in hitting with a team batting average of .256, but ranked second to only St.Louis in scoring with 735 runs. Votto led the team with 103 RBI and 29 home runs with Jay Bruce adding 97 RBI and a team-high 32 homeruns.

Brandon Phillips rounded-out this trio of sluggers with 82 RBI and 18 home runs. With a strong supporting cast filling-out the rest of the batting order, this team should not have to worry too much about putting runs on the board.

The Reds did have a problem from keeping their opponents from doing the same last year with a team ERA of 4.16, which was ranked 12th in the NL. They also gave up the most home runs in the league and surrendered the fourth-most walks. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

In an effort to plug a hole in the starting rotation, Cincinnati added right-hander Matt Latos, who is considered by many as a future ‘ace’ in-the-making after spending his first three seasons in the Majors with San Diego.

The rest of the starting rotation features Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, Bronson Arroyo, and Homer Bailey.

Cueto made 24 starts in 2011 and ended the year with an impressive 2.31 ERA and Leake pitched his way to a 12-9 record in 26 starts.

Cincinnati also used the offseason to address some issues with the bullpen with the addition of Sean Marshall and Ryan Madson, who should be able to make an immediate impact in improving one of the Reds weakest areas.

Do not be surprised if they keep tinkering with the entire pitching staff depending on who may become available between now and the start of the regular season.

2012 Outlook

The addition of Latos to the starting lineup should have an immediate impact on Reds’ win total this season, but the bigger impact could be the departure of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder from the division. This brings the top three teams that much closer to one another, setting the stage for a three-way battle to the bitter end for this year NL Central crown.

Prediction: 88-74 and first in the NL Central

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By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.