Cincinnati Reds: Predicting where the team will finish in the NL Central

“It’s unrealistic to think the Reds will jump from 67 wins to 81-plus.” – Christopher Begley

The number of high profile acquisitions the Cincinnati Reds have made this offseason have created optimism among the fan base. Realistically, I think the Reds will finish the 2019 season in fourth place in the very competitive NL Central. However, that doesn’t mean that the team won’t improve from last season’s 67-95 record.

It’s unrealistic to think the Reds will jump from 67 wins to 81-plus this season. A lot would have to go right for that to happen. The starting pitching, for one, would have to improve dramatically and injuries to key players would have to kept at a minimum.

The NL Central division is probably the best in baseball. Every team is good and could make a run at winning the division. The Brewers added Yasmani Grandal, the Cardinals added Paul Goldschmidt, and the Cubs have been to the playoffs four years in a row. Even the Pirates are good with a solid rotation led by Jameson Tallion. The Reds will contend, but it’s too much to ask for them to leap so many experienced teams.

Prediction: 79-83 (4th place finish in the NL Central, no playoff berth)

“It seems premature to expect the Reds to make the postseason.” – Aaron Gershon

The Cincinnati Reds are almost back. Though this may be their best chance at making the playoffs since 2013, it seems premature to expect the Reds to make the postseason in 2019. However, that doesn’t mean the Reds won’t be competitive and perhaps make a run.

The Reds improved an already potent lineup with the additions of Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp who played vital role in guiding the Dodgers to the 2019 postseason. In addition, the team added three much needed starting pitchers. However, even with all the additions, there are still many question marks.

Each of the three new starters have either injury concerns or are coming off poor performances in 2018. The Reds did not do much to improve the bullpen that finished middle of the pack last season, and the lineup still has quite a few players who have yet to experience a postseason run.

To top it all off, the Reds will be fighting with the Brewers, Cardinals, and Cubs who all have, not just postseason aspirations, but championship aspirations. The Cincinnati Reds probably won’t make the postseason in 2019, but it should still be a much improved season compared to recent years.

Prediction: 79-83 (4th place finish in the NL Central, no playoff berth)

“Joey Votto said it best, they have a chance to win the division…” – Abby Caldwell

Wow, this is a tough one. Realistically, I think Joey Votto said it best, they have a chance to win the division if a few things come out in their favor. I think it’s fair to say the Reds are no longer the doormats of the National League Central.

I think the Reds will beat out the Pirates and probably the Cardinals too. The Cubs are a bit of a wild card as the Reds did fairly well against the North Siders last season and the Cubbies did not have a very active offseason.

The Brewers, however, will be tough to outlast this season. Milwaukee has the reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich who beat up on the Reds pretty good last year and the Crew held onto most of their big assets, save for new Reds’ pitching coach Derek Johnson of course.

Prediction: 85-77 (3rd place finish in the NL Central, possible playoff berth)

“The Reds will be a surprise competitor.” – Brad Griffith

Coming off one of the most exciting offseasons of late, the Reds have supported a Top 10 offense from last season with key additions to the pitching staff and outfield. If the pitching staff can hold tight and shore up the biggest hole in the ship, the Reds will be a surprise competitor sailing through the NL Central.

Injuries have already started to plague the rotation with Alex Wood sidelined to start the season, so the key will be staying healthy and having quality starts down the stretch. With the expected rise of young talent Nick Senzel, the return of key players from injury, and an even better bench, this group is set to compete for October.

Prediction: 83-79 (3rd place finish in the NL Central, possible playoff berth)

“I’m guessing the Reds fall just short of the postseason.” – Scott Boyken

The Reds will be firmly in contention for not only a Wild Card spot, but the division title as well. Will 87 wins be enough to take the National League Central division? The NL Central is the deepest division in baseball and it may only take 90 victories to claim the crown with all five teams beating up on one another.

With the NL Central being so competitive, the door will be left open for teams in other divisions to take the Wild Card spots. The NL East and NL West present an easier path to the postseason this year and the Reds may be on the outside looking in.

Prediction: 87-75 (3rd place finish in the NL Central, no playoff berth)

“David Bell provides an upgrade.” – Mike Neal

The Cincinnati Reds will be an improved ball club in 2019. The biggest question since all the winter acquisitions has been, just how much can this team improve? On the positive side of the ledger, the lineup looks to have a good combination of on-base percentage, power, and run-producing bats. The starting pitching also shows promise, with the ability to go deeper into games.

David Bell provides an upgrade to the manager’s spot with his use of technology, aggressive nature, and a good overall “feel” for the game of baseball. I’ll give the Reds plus-5 in the win column for offensive improvements, plus-5 for Bell and his staff, and plus-10 in the win column for the improved starting rotation.

Prediction: 87-75 (3rd place finish in the NL Central, possible playoff berth)

“It will be tricky to earn a Wild Card spot.” – Allie Kaylor

After some shakeups in the pitching staff and added depth to the lineup, the Reds addressed their biggest weaknesses and showed a commitment to winning. The additions of Derek Johnson and Turner Ward, two of the best coaches in the game, are a nice tough that will hopefully put the icing on the cake for this year’s team.

Most projections have all five teams in the NL Central finishing above .500, which has never happened before. It may be my optimism, but I believe this year’s team will be able to compete with the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals for first place in the division. However, since half of the Reds’ games will be against the best teams in baseball, it will be tricky to earn a Wild Card spot.

Prediction: 85-77 (2nd place finish in the NL Central, no playoff berth)

“…I tend to see the glass more half full than half empty.” – Chris Dismukes

What stands out most to me about the 2019 version of the Cincinnati Reds is the infusion of talent, both with the pitching staff and the position players. These guys simply know how to win. The newest additions to the Reds this offseason have been part of winning organizations in D.C., The Bronx, and LA.

This is the time of year where I tend to see the glass more half full than half empty. The starting rotation is drastically improved with the additions of Sonny Gray, Tanner Roark, and Alex Wood. The challenge of which position players to put on the field is a good problem to have. For the first time in many years, the depth of this Reds lineup is tremendous. I also like the new leadership in clubhouse with manager David Bell.

Prediction: 86-76 (2nd place finish in the NL Central, second Wild Card spot)

“The Reds have all the pieces in place to make a run at the pennant.” – Drew Koch

Really, am I the only one who thinks that this year’s Cincinnati Reds team is primed to win the National League Central division? I’ll stop short of saying that I’m willing to die on this hill, but the Reds have all the pieces in place to make a serious run at the NL Central pennant this season.

The Reds offense does not have any deficiencies from where I’m sitting. If Tucker Barnhart, a switch hitting catcher who you can count on for 40-plus RBIs and a career batting average of .254 is your worst hitter, sign me up right now. Billy Hamilton is gone and the outfield additions of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, and Nick Senzel are certainly an upgrade over a player who had a career on-base percentage below .300.

It’s been discussed ad nauseam, but the team’s depth this season is a big plus. Derek Dietrich and José Iglesias are major upgrades off the bench and two of the club’s best hitters this spring (Nick Senzel and Phillip Ervin) are starting the season in Triple-A Louisville. When, not if, injures occur, this team has the depth to withstand it.

The starting rotation will make or break whether or not this team can make the climb from worst to first. Homer Bailey is gone and had it not been for an injury to Alex Wood to begin the season, one of the Reds’ best young pitchers, Tyler Mahle, would’ve began the season in the minor leagues. This again speaks to the depth of this year’s team.

Cody Reed, Sal Romano, and Brandon Finnegan were all reassigned before camp ended and all will be part of the Cincinnati bullpen this season if they hope to make an impact on this year’s team. Last season, each of those players had multiple starts for the Reds.

Finally, it appears that the Cincinnati Reds have found their voice in the clubhouse. Of course it’s premature to anoint David Bell as the savior of the Reds franchise, but thus far he and the other coaches have said all the right things and appear to amicable to an analytical approach. This has not been the case in years past.

Go ahead and buy your playoff tickets Reds fans because this year’s team is going to do something special. Yes, the NL Central is the most difficult and tightly bunched division in baseball, but that just means a couple wins over .500 will win the pennant. Get excited folks, baseball is almost here.

Prediction: 87-75 (1st place finish in the NL Central, playoff berth)