Into the Redsverse: Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto avoids injury in NLDS

1 of 5

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 06: Manager Duster Baker #12 of the Cincinnati Reds talks to Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

What if Reds starter Johnny Cueto avoided an injury in the 2012 NLDS?

Welcome to the Redsverse, a collection of alternate timelines where Reds history is changed. Each timeline has an event different from what Cincinnati Reds fans are familiar with, creating an alternate reality. This trip into the Redsverse will look at what happened if Johnny Cueto avoids an injury during the 2012 NLDS and is able to keep pitching in the playoffs.

Before diving in, let’s take a look at what happened during this time in Reds history. The Cincinnati Reds stormed through the 2012 season winning the NL Central with a 97-65 record. Cincinnati had the second-best record in MLB. The club only trailed the Washington Nationals by one win for the best-overall record in the NL.

The team’s starting rotation had an amazingly healthy, historic season. Pitcher Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey, Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake started 161 of 162 games. Each pitcher started at least 30 games. According to MLB Insider Mark Sheldon, only seven teams in MLB history have had a pitching staff with five starters recording 30 starts each.

Four of the starters won 12 or more games and threw 200 or more innings. Mark Sheldon found this was the first Cincinnati rotation to have four starters throw 200 or more innings since 1943. Cueto led the team with 19 wins and 217 innings pitched, Latos won 14 games, Bailey owned 13 wins and Arroyo won 12 games.

Home/Reds News