Reds spring training schedule: Cincinnati to play 28 games in 30 days

The Cincinnati Reds spring training schedule is out, and after Major League Baseball revised the Cactus League slate with the new health and safety regulations in mind, the team will now play 28 games in 30 days with two off-days.

The Reds spring training schedule opens on February 28th with a clash against the Cleveland Indians. Both teams share the complex at Goodyear, Arizona, so it’s no surprise that the two teams will meet their opening game of Cactus League play.

Reds spring training schedule begins on Sunday, February 28th.

The Reds follow up their opening game with a trio of California-based ball clubs, battling the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Trevor Bauer’s new squad, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cincinnati then plays the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks before landing on their first off-day.

The Redlegs will take on familiar NL opponents like the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres as well as division rivals like the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. Cincinnati’s final off-day of Cactus League action will come on Monday, March 26th before seven consecutive games that will close out league-play.

Some stories to follow in the early going of Reds spring training will be who logs the most amount of time at shortstop. Though there’s been rumors afloat of a possible trade for Willy Adames or Amed Rosario, nothing has materialized as of yet. Kyle Farmer enters camp as the presumptive starter, but the team has a host of players who could step up and dethrone the versatile infielder.

Where does Joey Votto fit in to David Bell’s 2021 batting order will be an interesting story to watch as well. Votto has not improved since his dismal performance in 2018, in fact, you could argue that he’s gotten worse. Votto has an enormous contract still on the books, but his lack of production over the years may force the Cincinnati skipper to bump the six-time All-Star further down his lineup card.

Finally, who will secure the last spot in the team’s starting rotation. After losing Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani to free agency, there’s an obvious hole in the rotation. Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Tyler Mahle have locked down spots, but the quartet of Wade Miley, Michael Lorenzen, Tejay Antone, and José De León will likely be battling for the final two slots.

With the Cincinnati Reds spring training schedule now official, fans can set aside some time to see how this year’s team looks heading into 2021. Though it seems as the though the team has lost some key pieces, little no moves have happened throughout the division aside from Nolan Arenado joining the St. Louis Cardinals. The division is winnable, but the Reds have several questions to answer.