3 overreactions (and 1 truth) from the Reds Opening Day loss to the Giants

It was all going so well, and then, BANG! The Cincinnati Reds surrendered a one-run lead in the ninth inning after a game-tying RBI single off the bat of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey. San Fran then delivered the death knell after Wilmer Flores sent a three-run missile into the seats in left field. The Reds lost their Opening Day matchup against the Giants by a final of 6-4.

Opening Day is akin to a holiday in the city of Cincinnati. The Findlay Market Parade and all the history and pageantry that encapsulate the start of the baseball season is near and dear to the hearts of fans throughout Reds Country.

But at the end of the day, it's just one of 162 games. Still, there's a lot to take away from the Reds' Opening Day loss to the Giants. What are three overreactions (and one truth) from Cincinnati's ninth-inning collapse on Thursday?

3 overreactions from the Reds Opening Day loss to the Giants

Terry Francona is no better at managing a bullpen than David Bell

Francona's status as a Hall of Fame manager is already cemented, but Reds fans are surely questioning their skipper's decision making after turning to Ian Gibaut in the ninth inning on Thursday; especially when Taylor Rogers, Sam Moll, and even Graham Ashcraft would appear to have been better options.

But Francona is still trying to figure this team out. The Reds manager liked the fact that Gibaut is unafraid to attack hitters and throw strikes — something he didn't do enough of on Opening Day. It's a learning experience for Tito, and it's doubtful that Gibaut will get the ball in that situation any time in the near future.

Ian Gibaut should be DFA'd and Zach Maxwell should be called up

Gibaut owned his mistake. He stood in front of the cameras after the loss, faced the music, and took responsibility for his poor performance on Thursday. There will be those who'll have harsh criticism for the Reds' right-hander, but the harsh reality is that he probably shouldn't have been put in that position to begin with.

And of course, there will be calls for Gibaut to be DFA'd and for the Reds flame-throwing prospect Zach Maxwell to receive a call-up to the big leagues. While that may happen sooner rather than later, don't forget that walks have been an issue for 'Big Sugar', and that's an area of his game that will need to be straightened out before making his MLB debut

Jeimer Candelario is on track for an All-Star season

It was fantastic to see last year's biggest free agent signee Jeimer Candelario go hog-wild on Thursday and lead the way for Cincinnati's bats. Candelario went 2-for-3 with three RBI and drew a walk in a fourth plate appearance.

But let's not pretend that Candelario didn't show flashes of this type of production in 2024. There was a six-week period where the Reds' third baseman was the best hitter on the team. It's great to see Candelario get off to a hot-start, but let's pump the brakes on any talk of a resurgent season just yet.

1 truth from the Reds Opening Day loss to the Giants

The Reds pitching will be the key to a playoff run in 2025

It's kind of hard to look past Gibaut's failed attempt to close out the Giants, but the rest of the Reds bullpen was lights out. After Hunter Greene — who was stellar — was pulled following the fifth inning, the Reds relief corps put up three straight innings of hitless baseball.

Free agent signee Scott Barlow, last year's offseason acquisition Emilio Pagán, and the hard-throwing Tony Santillan all struck out two batters apiece without allowing a hit. Unfortunately, Gibaut's blown save will be all anyone will talk about on Friday around the water cooler.

But if the Reds are going to have success in 2025, it'll be because of the team's tremendous pitching depth. Don't forget that Gibaut's addition only came after Alexis Díaz, who was slowed by injury, landed on the IL to begin the season.