Cincinnati Reds: Predicting the Opening Day batting order

Middle of the Reds batting order

4. Eugenio Suarez (SS), 5. Mike Moustakas (3B), 6. Nick Senzel (CF)

Eugenio Suarez is now the Reds’ starting shortstop, and the all-time leader in home runs by a Venezuelan-born player will bring some pop to the middle of the Cincinnati lineup. Suarez is on a mission to break his own record and smack 50 homers in 2021. I believe he can do it, and he’s sure to rack up several RBIs as well if he’s batting in the clean up spot.

Mike Moustakas will move from the keystone to the hot corner, but his spot in the middle of the Reds batting order is unlikely to change. Moose is known more for his power than his on-base percentage, and he owned Jack Flaherty while with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019. That year, Moustakas was 3-for-7 with a double, a home run, and two RBIs.

Nick Senzel has look very good this spring, and if healthy, I look for the former first-round pick to be in the leadoff spot more times than not in 2021. With Shogo Akiyama sidelined with a hamstring injury, Senzel has no competition for playing time in center field.

History suggests that David Bell might’ve preferred the left-handed Akiyama versus Flaherty, but there’s little doubt that the right-handed Senzel will be starting in the middle of the Reds’ outfield. Senzel is 1-for-2 lifetime versus the Cardinals’ right-hander.