The Cincinnati Reds are on pace to have best season since 2014

With less than a month left in the regular season, the Cincinnati Reds know that time is running out. A season of what “could have been” with a star-studded offense and weakened pitching has actually been the best team in years.

It’s turned into another long season for the Cincinnati Reds as this 2018 campaign is coming to a close. The city-wide groans on managerial decisions, the pitching staff, and more have fans looking forward to the start of spring training in 2019.

Since 2013 the optimism of this team making the playoffs continues to fade, but this season is actually on pace to be the start of an improvement. With 24 games left in the season, the Reds currently sit with 59 wins on the season.

That is by no means impressive, but the team is only nine games behind their season win total of the past three years (68,68,64) and also have their highest win percentage at .431 since the 2014 season. Aside from the stats, the Reds have also found cornerstones in young players for the future.

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Finding diamonds on the mound

While pitching has definitely been the reoccurring nightmare each season, this year has brought some promising arms to light. Most notably has been Anthony DeSclafani and Luis Castillo on the starting pitching staff.

Castillo leads the team in wins (8) and has a 4.83 ERA while leading the team in innings pitched (143.1). DeSclafani has shown the most consistency and over only 90 innings pitched, has posted an impressive 7-4 record with a 4.37 ERA.

The bullpen has also shined this season and is highlighted by slugging flamethrower Michael Lorenzen. With a respectable 2.07 ERA and four electric home runs, Lorenzen has proven he deserves a spot on this pitching staff moving forward.

Closer Raisel Iglesias is also nearing his career high in saves (28) while currently sitting at 25. A popular trade target at this past deadline, a priority for the Reds should be to hang onto Iglesias this off-season.

Offensive backbone

The Reds offense has always been a bright spot over the years led by multiple All-Stars and young sluggers. The team is 13th in offensive rankings on ESPN for all of baseball and is carried by team leader Joey Votto among others.

With the rise of Eugenio Suárez as a cornerstone third baseman and having an incredible season at the plate, the focus needs to be re-signing the revitalized Scooter Gennett. An All-Star and having career highs in almost every category, the veteran would provide stability in the infield.

Following Gennett, the Reds need to keep Philip Ervin up on the roster next season to cover the departure of Adam Duvall. In his short time since being called up (58 games), Ervin has 24 runs batted in and four home runs but provides a flexible player who can also play well defensively.

When Jesse Winker returns and joins Scott Schebler in the outfield, there could be an opening for Ervin. Having him would also provide some speed if Billy Hamilton leaves Cincinnati as well since Ervin can definitely play centerfield and hit for power.

One of these days

With interim manager Jim Riggleman preventing the season from being a complete disaster, the club has finally secured young position players who can compliment the always improving pitching. Having a strong farm system will see other young exciting players fighting for a call-up next season and finally starting the upside of a rebuild.

The road has been long and winding, but Reds fans should look at this season as a step in the right direction. With an experienced manager, and some veteran pitching to complement the young guys (Harvey experiment), this team will continue to improve after this season. I wouldn’t rule out a 77 to 80 win season next year.