Cincinnati Reds: Five bold predictions for the 2020 season

The Cincinnati Reds begin play on Friday against the Detroit Tigers.

We’re less than one week away from the 2020 Major League Baseball season. After some fans and pundits feared it would never happen, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the sport seems set to kick things off on Thursday, July 23rd. The Cincinnati Reds begin play on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. What are five predictions that might seem a bit bold?

A few months ago, I was working on a similar piece, but once spring training was shutdown and there was no Opening Day in sight, I tucked my 2020 predictions into my back pocket. Now, with the season reduced to 60 games, runners starting extra innings on second base, and the addition of a universal designated hitter, my expectations have changed a bit.

To be quite honest, given the strength of schedule, no games against the NL’s best teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals), and an extra bat David Bell’s lineup, I think Cincinnati’s odds of making the postseason actually have gone up. The Reds are looking to break a playoff drought that dates back to 2013.

Expectations are high for Cincinnati this season; as they should be. The additions of Shogo Akiyama, Nick Castellanos, Wade Miley, Mike Moustakas and Pedro Strop add depth and talent to the Reds offense, starting pitching and bullpen. Is this the year Cincinnati breaks through and wins the NL Central? Let’s look at five bold predictions for the 2020 season.