Cincinnati Reds: Final Opening Day roster predictions for the 2020 season

Reds starting rotation (5)

Luis Castillo (RHP), Sonny Gray (RHP), Trevor Bauer (RHP), Wade Miley (LHP), Anthony DeSclafani (RHP)

This prediction has not changed either, nor should it. Not only do we know which five pitchers will be part of the Cincinnati Reds rotation, we know the order in which David Bell will deploy them. Sonny Gray will be the Reds Opening Day starter and will be opposed by Detroit Tigers ace Matthew Boyd.

Gray will give way to Luis Castillo who’ll be followed by Trevor Bauer. Cincinnati brought in Wade Miley during the offseason to be the team’s No. 4 starter, signing the former Milwaukee Brewer to a two-year/$15M deal. Anthony DeSclafani, who in my opinion never gets the recognition he deserves, might be the best No. 5 starter in the National League.

The Cincinnati Reds have the makings of an elite-level starting rotation. It’s eerily similar to the 2012 starting rotation that won the NL Central. That year, Cincinnati employed the services of Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake. This year’s squad might be a little bit better.

Both Bauer and DeSclafani will be free agents at the end of the year, making their performances during the season incredibly significant. Castillo is a prime candidate for a contract extension and Sonny Gray is coming off his best season since 2015. The strength of this year’s team is the starting rotation, and it’s not even close.