Reds 2020 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2020 Cincinnati Reds predictions? The Reds have been transforming rapidly for about a year now. And suddenly, they’re co-favorites in the NL Central.
MLB Reds Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Chicago and St. Louis are the true co-favorites, at +225 but Cincinnati and Milwaukee lurk just behind at +275 and +350, respectively.
2020 MLB Team Previews – Cincinnati Reds
- Pittsburgh Pirates 2020 National League Central Odds: +275
- Pittsburgh Pirates 2020 National League Odds: +1600
- Pittsburgh Pirates 2020 World Series Odds: +5000
Key Additions:
- Nicholas Castellanos
- Mike Moustakas
- Shogo Akiyama
- Wade Miley
Let’s start with Miley, who will round out a starting five that also gets its first full season out of Trevor Bauer, who was acquired at last season’s trade deadline.
Moustakas and Castellanos makes for a nice left/right combination in the middle of the lineup. Now the Reds have three guys, including Eugenio Suarez who may not only hit 30 home runs but get on base often too. All three are well-rounded hitters and not just three true outcomes.
Akiyama comes over from Japan as a 32-year-old who is expected to hit at the top of the Reds’ lineup. He and and Joey Votto don’t have the speed typical of a traditional 1-2 combination but could give pitchers fits working long at-bats.
Key Losses:
- Jose Iglesias
- Jose Peraza
The Reds, undoubtedly, lost some defensive prowess up the middle. Neither Iglesias nor Peraza were particularly great offensive threats but both could flash the leather.
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Now Freddy Galvis comes in charged with holding down shortstop and Moustakas, who came up as a third baseman before getting some use at second with Milwaukee, will play as his double-play partner.
2020 Cincinnati Reds Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- Shogo Akiyama OF
- Joey Votto 1B
- Eugenio Suarez 3B
- Mike Moustakas 2B
- Nicholas Castellanos OF
- Jesse Winker OF
- Freddie Galvis SS
- Tucker Barnhart C
The lineup will rival any in the division. As mentioned, the two table-setters at the top are unique and could prove to be equally tough for opponents. The right/left/right trio in the middle is perhaps a step below devastating and you’re still not out of the woods when it comes time to face Winker and Galvis.
But while it seems a good shot the offense will be good; it’s certain the defense won’t. For a team that is just starting to put together the semblance of a competent pitching staff, to go so light on defense may come back around to hurt.
2020 Cincinnati Reds Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- Luis Castillo
- Sonny Gray
- Trevor Bauer
- Anthony DeSclafani
- Wade Miley
I think one of the big motivations behind bringing Bauer in at last year’s deadline was to get Luis Castillo some veteran help. The youngster is good enough to try and do it all on his own but he’s a long-term investment the Reds ought to protect.
But Sonny Gray quietly had a fantastic 2019 with Cincinnati, his first season with the club. He didn’t even win 10 games but posted a WHIP down around 1.00 and an ERA+ close to 160. He finished seventh in the Cy Young voting and made his second All-Star team. Apparently, all he had to do was get out of New York.
2020 Cincinnati Reds Predictions: Projected Closer:
- Raisel Iglesias
Cincinnati’s bullpen is a collection of failed starters and once highly-touted prospects who didn’t quite live up to their billing but have since carved out roles in the bullpen.
Michael Lorenzon and Amir Garrett give the Reds a right/left combo to get to Iglesias.
Tyler Mahle and Robert Stephenson can offer some length but may lose some of that in order to fill more demanding, shorter roles in the ‘pen, which may not be the optimal long-term play. We’ll see.
Pedro Strop signed on in the offseason and, potentially, gives Cincinnati another experienced arm for the late innings.
2020 Cincinnati Reds Predictions: 82 wins and 3rd in the NL Central (Bet Now at any of our reviewed MLB Sportsbooks!)
The shorter season could very well benefit Cincinnati, which skimped on bullpen depth and defense in its roster construction in order to fill out the starting rotation and the lineup.
My philosophy on fading the Reds (lightly) this season is simple: the lineup and starting five will get more attention in the public markets, which has hiked the price.
Defense isn’t sexy; nor is bullpen depth but both are important factors in winning ballgames and the Reds may struggle in both those places, especially if they get don’t stay healthy.
What do you think of our 2020 Cincinnati Reds predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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