Reds are about to embarrass ESPN after this laughable 2026 prediction

Nowadays, to call ESPN the Worldwide Leader is Sports is laughable. But the outlet's 2026 prediction for the Cincinnati Reds might be even more preposterous. ESPN's pool of writers, led by some guy named Bradford Doolittle, gave the Reds a 20% chance to make the playoffs this season. Moreover, ESPN predicts Cincinnati will finish with a record of 78-84. They clearly haven't been paying attention.

Of course, like so many other pundits and so-called experts, the folks over at ESPN want you to believe that there's no way the Reds can survive without Hunter Greene. They conveniently ignore the fact that Greene missed nearly three months last season with a hamstring injury and only started 19 games.

ESPN's foolish prediction shows much the media is sleeping on the Reds

The outlet cites Greene's obligation to return healthy in July and Chase Burns' need to take the next step as keys to success in 2026. Well, duh. The same could be said for any number of team's dealing with early-season injuries and relying on talented young players to "take the next steps".

ESPN calls the Atlanta Braves would-be contenders, and they are. But three of their starting pitchers — including Spencer Strider — will open the season on the injured list. Spencer Schwellenbach and Joey Wentz have been placed on the 60-day IL, catcher Sean Murphy won't be back for a couple of months, and Mauricio Dubón is Atlanta's starting shortstop because Ha-Seong Kim is out until May.

Despite all the doom and gloom in Atlanta, ESPN is still picking the Braves to win 90 games this season, and Doolittle gives them a 72% chance to make the playoffs. Now, all that may be true, but it shows how ridiculous the whole prediction process is when you don't use the same standards in your prognostications.

The Braves may in fact be better than the Reds in 2026, but not by 12 games. If Atlanta is estimated to win 90 games in 2026, Cincinnati should be closer to 85, and maybe higher.

The fact is, if the Reds want the respect of ESPN and the rest of the national media, they've got to go out and prove that they belong. The Braves and their core have a long track record of success that the Reds don't have. But with Burns, Greene, Elly De La Cruz, and Matt McLain, there's no reason to believe they can't reach the same plateau.

ESPN doesn't think much of Reds' chances for success this season. It's time for Cincinnati to go out and prove them wrong.