Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the 28-man playoff roster

Reds Starting lineup (9)

Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, Freddy Galvis, Eugenio Suárez, Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama, Nick Senzel, Jesse Winker and Tucker Barnhart

Just as was the case with the starting pitchers, these nine players will undoubtedly be on the Reds playoff roster. It’s debatable as to who’ll be the team’s starting centerfielder, but for now we’ll put Nick Senzel in the lineup. Regardless of whether or not he’s in the starting lineup for Game 1, it’s virtual lock that Senzel will be on the roster.

Joining the second-year outfielder will be free agent signees Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama. These player have all peaked at different times throughout the season, but both Moustakas and Akiyama have excelled of late. Over his last seven games, Moose is hitting .346/.379/.885 with three home runs and nine RBIs. Akiyama is hitting .333 over his last 15 games.

Joey Votto will be going to the postseason for the fourth time in his career, and this time he’ll be bringing along Eugenio Suárez, who’ll be making his second postseason appearance and his first with the Cincinnati Reds. Jesse Winker has cooled off lately, but his patience at the dish will, no doubt, find him a spot on the 28-man roster.

Freddy Galvis has taken over at shortstop of late for the rookie José García. Though García may be the future, I like that David Bell is trusting his veteran. Galvis has responded with 5 hits in his last 18 at-bats, including a three-hit performance during Cincinnati’s playoff-clinching victory on Friday night in Minneapolis.