Cincinnati Reds: Three reasons to be excited about the universal DH

3. Reds starters will gain rest in a shortened-season.

The universal DH is obviously designed to increase offense. No longer having a pitcher bat in the eighth or ninth spot in the lineup will give the Cincinnati Reds a better chance to get a hit or score a run. There is also another benefactor of the universal DH; the starting rotation.

In previous seasons, Reds pitchers have always had to worry about two things when they took the mound; getting the other team out and how to hit the opposing pitcher’s curveball. Now they only have to focus on pitching.

Batting will be a distant memory unless the pitcher is Michael Lorenzen, who could still see an appearance at the plate now and then. More time to focus only on pitching can only help the Reds starters and relievers.

The universal DH will help the starters stay in the game longer. The strategic move of pulling a pitcher early based on where they are batting in an inning will go away. While the Reds should always look for ways to score runs, it is also in the team’s best interest to keep a dominant pitching performance going as long as possible.

If Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray or Trevor Bauer are pitching strong in the fifth inning, they will now only leave the game if things start to get out of control. They won’t be pulled if the Reds have a runner on second base in their half of the inning and Phillip Ervin is called on to pinch-hit.

The Universal DH will also benefit relievers. The new pitching rule states all relief pitchers now must face at least three batters, or pitch to the end of the inning before being removed from the game.

If Amir Garrett storms through the seventh inning and the Reds want to use him to start the eighth inning, David Bell won’t have to pull him based on where he is batting in the lineup. The move will now only come when dictated by the pitching performance.

When it comes to the universal DH, the team’s offense, defense and pitching staff will benefit. This will give Reds Country many reasons to be excited going into the 2020 season. While many have long since resisted, it’s time to embrace the designated hitter in the National League.