Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the 28-man playoff roster

What will the Reds playoff roster look like?

The Cincinnati Reds will play baseball in October. This is the first time since 2013 the Reds have made the playoffs, and while not division winners, there’s no doubt that Cincinnati will be a tough-out in this year’s postseason. The Wild Card Round allows for a 28-man roster. Who’ll make the cut?

It’s not yet known who the Reds opponent will be, but it won’t be the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati has secured no higher than the No. 7 seed, and depending on the results today’s game against the Minnesota Twins, as well as the outcome of several other games, the Reds could be matched up against either the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves or San Diego Padres.

David Bell has already set his rotation heading into next week’s festivities. Whoever plays the Reds will have a tall task, as likely Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer will take the hill in Game 1. He’ll be followed by Luis Castillo and, if necessary, Sonny Gray. Those three players will undoubtedly be on the 28-man roster.

But who else will make the cut? Cincinnati has had the full complement of 28 players throughout the majority of the 2020 season, but a few faces will certainly be missing. Will there be any surprises? How many rookies will be on the squad, if any? Let’s explore which 28 players will likely be on field and in the dugout come Wednesday.

Reds starting rotation (3)

Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray

Book it! These three names will be included in the Cincinnati Reds 28-man playoff roster. David Bell took the initiative and named his starting rotation yesterday. It shouldn’t come as a surprise either, as Trevor Bauer will start Game 1, Luis Castillo will start Game 2 and, if needed, Sonny Gray will start Game 3 of the Wild Card Round.

Bauer starting Game 1 is a no-brainer. The right-hander was dominant this season, and will likely be rewarded with his first ever Cy Young Award. Not only will it be the first time that Bauer receives the award, but it’ll be the first time in the 151-year history of the franchise that a member of the Cincinnati pitching staff takes home the trophy.

Game 2’s starter was probably a bit more of conundrum for Cincinnati skipper David Bell. Castillo and Gray are both solid, but my guess is that Gray’s stint on the injured list and Castillo’s recent success led the decision. Though Castillo struggled a bit last night, La Piedra still owns a 2.68 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over his last seven starts.

Gray will get the ball for Game 3 if needed. The Wild Card Round consists of just three games this season, and if the Reds win both Game 1 and Game 2, Gray would likely get the ball for Game 1 of the NLDS. Gray has pitched just once since returning from the IL, but he’ll get the ball today versus the Twins in the season finale.

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.

Reds relievers (10)

Raisel Iglesias, Archie Bradley, Michael Lorenzen, Lucas Sims, Amir Garrett, Tyler Mahle, Wade Miley, Tejay Antone, Robert Stephenson and Sal Romano

This will be the most interesting group of players among those on the 28-man playoff roster. Wade Miley and Tyler Mahle, both of whom have started several games this season, will now be part of the bullpen in this three-game series. It’s doubtful that Mahle will be called on outside replacing Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo or Sonny Gray should one of the starter run into trouble.

Miley, however, is likely to join Amir Garrett as the only left-handers in the Reds bullpen. Jesse Biddle is eligible for roster as well, but currently on the injured list. It’s highly unlikely he’ll return for the Wild Card Round. Look for Miley and Garrett to be the lone southpaws on Cincinnati’s playoff roster.

Archie Bradley, one of the Reds trade deadline acquisitions, will most certainly be on the roster. Bradley has proven to be quite valuable since coming over from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Michael Lorenzen, Lucas Sims and Raisel Iglesias will be key pieces out of the Reds bullpen if Cincinnati hopes to survive the opening round of the MLB Playoffs.

I think Tejay Antone has done more than enough to warrant a spot on the playoff roster. Like Mahle, Antone can go multiple innings in relief. Though he’s yet to perform up to his 2019 standards, I still think Robert Stephenson will be on the Reds postseason roster, as will fellow right-hander Sal Romano.

The one player missing from these Reds roster prediction is Anthony DeScalfani. Disco has fallen off a cliff of late, and hasn’t started a game since September 14th. DeSclafani allowed four hits and three runs during his relief appearance last night, and the Reds do not need a fourth starter for the Wild Card Series.