Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Indians – Which organization has a better team going forward?

With a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head Ohio Cup prior to a postponement, have the Cincinnati Reds caught the American League Champions in talent?

The Cincinnati Reds won two of the first three games of the Ohio Cup against the defending AL Champion Cleveland Indians.  In the first game the Reds won 5-1.  Anytime they can hold a team to only one run, the Reds are in the game.

Game 2 demonstrated the Reds’ weaknesses.  The starting pitching only lasted five innings and was beset with home runs.  The Reds came back, but lost when the bullpen couldn’t hold the Indians scoreless for the final four innings.

Game 3, however, showed all that was right with the team.  The starting pitching was passable before handing the game over to the bullpen.  Despite spotting the Indians the lead, the Reds were able to come back with pitching and defense.

That’s the basis of the difference between the two teams.  The teams even share spring training facilities and play each other often. The Indians have the better starting pitcher,s but the argument could be made that the Reds are better in all of the other stages of the game.  Of course, the Reds cannot match the Indians’ power when former Red Edwin Encarnacion is in the game.

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The Reds have more runs, more home runs, and more steals than the Cleveland Indians.  Offensively, the Reds have surpassed the Indians.  Cleveland, however, has the lower ERA and WHIP, while striking out more batters as a pitching staff.

The Cleveland Indians are battling for first place, but the Cincinnati Reds are only four games off the pace.

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The Indians got off to a slow start this year while second baseman Jason Kipnis was on the DL.   Most of their offensive players and bullpen are veterans.  Can Francisco Lindor and the starting pitchers continue to get better?

The Reds, meanwhile, got off to a fast start and have been slowly losing ground every ten games.  They have Joey Votto and Zack Cozart to go with a team of young batters.  On the mound it isn’t much different with Scott Feldman and Bronson Arroyo the only veteran starting pitchers.

Overall, the Indians are close to their ceiling.  2016 may have been the year and the chance for Cleveland to win the World Series.

They can only keep going for so long before their pitching staff becomes price prohibitive.

Meanwhile, the Reds are just on their way up.  Their offense is one of the best in baseball this year, ahead of schedule.  Their bullpen is full of young arms and the starting pitching is starting to show up.

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The Reds are the team in the better position, but they have more competition in their division.  With the Chicago Cubs and Saint Louis Cardinals in constant re-stocking mode it will be tough to get out in front.  The Reds, however, will be the better team going forward in 2017 and beyond.