Cincinnati Reds: Three things to watch for on Opening Day

2. Reds outfielder Jesse Winker batting leadoff.

With Shogo Akiyama starting the season on the IL due to a hamstring injury, the Reds are likely to try a new approach by letting outfielder Jesse Winker headline the order. Instead of the normal game plan of speed at the top of the order, David Bell is likely to go with the team’s leader in on-base percentage (.388) from 2020.

This decision to go with Winker over a more athletic player like Nick Senzel is being made strictly on the idea of having a player with a high on-base percentage at the top of the order. This is a skill, in today’s game, which is much more valuable than a stolen base.

During the abbreviated 2020 season, Winker had career highs in almost all offensive categories, particularly on-base percentage and slugging percentage (.544) and OPS (.932). The Cardinals will send out right-hander Jack Flaherty on Thursday.

For his career against Flaherty, Winker is 3-for-10 with a pair of doubles and a home run versus the Cardinals’ ace. Winker has also drawn two walks in his career against Flaherty, which brings his on-base percentage up to .412 versus the 25-year-old. If Winker can continue to get on base at a high rate, it will allow for Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, and Eugenio Suárez to have more RBI opportunities.