Everything you need to know for the Reds 2022 Opening Day series vs. the Braves

Atlanta Braves v Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves v Cincinnati Reds / Dylan Buell/GettyImages
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Granted, it's a little later than we had originally hoped, but Opening Day has arrived, and another season of Cincinnati Reds baseball and series previews are on tap. As you know, this is not a season opener those throughout Reds Country are accustomed to seeing.

However, I have a good omen. First of all, due to the lockout, the 2022 Redlegs will debut on the road for the first time since the 1990 season when they bested the Houston Astros in the Astrodome. And we all remember how the 1990 campaign turned out.

Next, Tyler Mahle will be making his first career Opening Day start. He'll be Cincinnati's seventh different Opening Day starter in the last eight years. The last Reds' hurler to start consecutive Opening Days? Johnny Cueto in the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

The Reds open their season on the road for the first time since 1990.

Speaking of Opening Day starts, social media's newest superstar, Joey Votto, will be manning first base for the Reds for a 14th consecutive season opener. Amazingly, second baseman Jonathan India, third baseman Mike Moustakas, and centerfielder Nick Senzel are the only other returning starters from last year's Opening Day lineup.

Last year the Reds posted an 83-79 record ensuring consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 2012 and 2013 playoff campaigns. How long has it been since Cincinnati posted three straight winning seasons? You have to go back to the 1985-1988 Redlegs who finished above .500 in four consecutive seasons. In other words, it's been a while.

The Reds and Braves have not met in a season opener since 2001 when Atlanta walloped Cincinnati 10-4 at Cinergy Field. Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin enjoyed a 3-for-4 afternoon at the plate, however, the Reds' bullpen surrendered six runs over the last three innings to spoil the Opening Day festivities.

Additionally, this will be the sixth time Cincinnati and Atlanta have battled in a season opener and the first outside of the Queen City. Cincinnati owns a 3-2 advantage in those previous meetings. Finally, right-hander, and Reds legend, Mario Soto was the last Cincinnati starter to defeat the Braves on Opening Day as the Reds captured a 5-4 victory in 1983 at Riverfront Stadium.

Apr 5, 2022; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene against the Seattle
Apr 5, 2022; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene against the Seattle / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Previewing the pitching matchup: Reds vs. Braves

Tyler Mahle (13-6 3.75 ERA in 2021) kicks off the season on the hill for the Cincinnati Reds as the Atlanta Braves will counter with Max Fried (14-7 3.04 ERA in 2021). The Cincinnati right-hander is seeking his first career victory against Atlanta.

Winless in his previous three starts versus the Braves, Mahle was taken deep twice in last year's 4-0 shutout defeat at Great American Ball Park on June 27th. However, in his career, the California native has fanned 23 Atlanta hitters in just 17 frames.

Southpaw Max Fried has quickly established himself as one of the top hurlers in the senior circuit. Over the last three years, he's compiled an amazing 38-13 record while collecting a second-place finish in the 2020 National League Cy Young Award voting. Additionally, the 28-year-old has added a pair of Gold Gloves to his mantelpiece over the last two seasons.

Friday night's pitching matchup will be a study in contrasts as rookie left-hander Reiver Sanmartin (2-0 1.54 ERA in 2021) toes the rubber for the Redlegs, while 14-year veteran Charlie Morton (14-6 3.34 ERA in 2021) gets the call for Brian Snitker's club.

Sanmartin made his MLB debut during the final week of the 2021 season making two successful starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The defending World Series champs should be more of challenge for the 25-year-old Colombian.

Right-hander Charlie Morton is coming off a terrific 2021 campaign in which he made 33 starts leading the NL. The two-time All-Star is 6-8 versus the Redlegs in 18 career appearances. However, the 38-year-old has not pitched against the Reds since 2016 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Even though he's only entering his sophomore season in the big leagues, Vladimir Gutierrez (9-6 4.74 ERA in 2021) is a veteran when you consider there are three rookies in the Cincinnati rotation to start the season. He'll oppose Kyle Wright (0-1 9.95 ERA in 2021) at Truist Park on Saturday evening.

Gutierrez made 22 starts following his debut versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 28th. Needless to say, if the Cincinnati Reds are to be successful this season, a strong campaign from the right-handed Cuban is imperative.

It's been tough going for former first-round pick Kyle Wright. Granted, it's a small sample size, but the right-hander has been underwhelming in 21 career appearances, including 14 starts, compiling a 6.56 ERA in 70 frames.

Sunday afternoon is the day Reds Country has been waiting for since June 12, 2017. That's the day Cincinnati selected a pitching phenom with the second overall selection in the draft. Get your popcorn ready Reds fans, Hunter Greene is making his MLB debut. As excited as we are, let's try to temper our expectations whether the results are positive or negative.

Keep in mind, Hunter Greene is still just 22-years-old, and surrendered four homers in only nine innings in four spring training outings. However, you can't help but be excited and hopefully, Greene will make a positive first impression versus an incredibly imposing lineup.

Atlanta is not doing Greene any favors when it comes to the pitching matchup on Sunday. The Braves will send Ian Anderson (9-5 3.58 ERA in 2021) to the pitching rubber. If you remember, or perhaps care not to, Anderson bewildered the Reds in the 2020 postseason allowing two hits, while fanning nine in six innings of work. To quote 1980s synth-pop star Howard Jones, "things can only get better."

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (27) participates in outfield drills during workouts.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (27) participates in outfield drills during workouts. / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

The Reds roster has undergone a massive turnover.

It's safe to say Great American Ball Park will be selling a ton of programs as the Reds open the 2022 season. To say there's been some roster movement would be a massive understatement.

A slew of fan-favorites have departed the Queen City since the final out of the 2021 campaign. Gone are Tucker Barnhart, Nick Castellanos, Sonny Gray, Wade Miley, Eugenio Suárez, and Jesse Winker. All but Barnhart, a two-time Gold Glove winner, and Miley, who tossed a no-hitter last May, were All-Stars during their tenure with the Reds.

In their place are Jake Fraley, Colin Moran, and Tommy Pham. Additionally, the Reds are awaiting newcomers left-handed starter Mike Minor, and infielder Donovan Solano to return from the Injured List. Reds General Manager Nick Krall insists the roster overhaul were strictly baseball moves and not salary dumps. The truth will soon be revealed.

While the roster turnover for the Braves was not nearly as drastic as the Reds faced, the heart and soul of the club for the past decade, Freddie Freeman, is now a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, don't feel too sorry for Atlanta. They replaced him with former Oakland A's All-Star Matt Olson. Last year the 28-year-old Olson slashed .271/.371/.540 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs. Believe me, the Braves are going to be just fine at first base.

Prediction: Reds vs. Braves

The schedule makers are testing the new look Cincinnati Reds from the get go. However daunting the task may seem, there's still plenty to like about this ball club.

dark. Next. 9 bold predictions for the Reds 2022 season

If you have a lineup that features Joey Votto, Jonathan India, and Tyler Stephenson you have a chance. Look for the Redlegs to split the four-game set in Atlanta before returning home to welcome the Cleveland Guardians to open the 2022 home schedule.

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