Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from disappointing series loss to Tigers

2. Reds first baseman Joey Votto looked good out of the gates.

Joey Votto has a history of starting the baseball season slow at the plate. Over his career, Votto has a .289 batting average over the first month of the season, which is typically March/April. The six-time All-Star usually gets things going as the season moves along, as his career batting average of .307 would suggest.

Votto looked like he was in mid-season form to start the year at the plate. After the first three games, Votto has five hits in 13 at-bats good enough for a .385 batting average. He has two home runs and three RBIs, and only struck out once.

This is great news for Votto and the Cincinnati Reds offense. In order for the offense to provide enough run support for their stud pitching staff, Votto has to be hitting, and hitting well, out of the No. 2 spot in the batting order. The sooner Votto starts feeling comfortable at the plate the better.

The last time Joey Votto finished with a batting average over .300 was 2017. That year, he finished the season hitting .320 and was second in the MVP vote (side note: Votto should have won NL MVP that season). Votto’s last two seasons ended with lower than expected hitting numbers, batting .284 in 2018 and .261 in 2019.

Granted, it may be a little extreme to be excited about the first three games, but to see Joey Votto looking comfortable at the plate, getting hits and knocking in runs early in the season is a very good sight to see. Hopefully, this strong start will keep up over the next 57 games.