Reds fans will love Terry Francona's starting lineup for the spring training opener

The Cincinnati Reds will be back in action today (twice). The Reds' Cactus League opener will feature split-squad games against the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers. Freddie Benavides will lead the Redlegs against their in-state rival while new manager Terry Francona will take half of Cincinnati's roster on the road to Maryvale to play the Brew Crew.

Hunter Greene will be on the bump for the Reds-Guardians clash in Goodyear while Graham Ashcraft will take the ball on the road at American Family Fields of Phoenix when Cincinnati faces off against the defending NL Central champions.

Reds spring training opener features Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, and Terry Francona's Cincy debut

As for the lineups, Benavides will have Matt McLain leading off ahead of Tyler Stephenson and Elly De La Cruz. Newcomer Austin Hays will bat cleanup and is followed by third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Spencer Steer is the acting DH with Christian Encarnacion-Strand behind him. Stuart Fairchild will play center field with Will Benson batting ninth and playing right field.

Francona will have TJ Friedl leading off against the Brewers. Gavin Lux is at second base and Jose Trevino will hang the signs for Ashcraft. Jake Fraley will be batting cleanup, and will be followed by Santiago Espinal, Noelvi Marte, and Rece Hinds. Jacob Hurtubise will be in left field and Rule 5 draftee Cooper Bowman will round out the lineup.

Players like De La Cruz, McLain, Greene, and Alexis Díaz are locked in to their Opening Day roster spots. But a handful of players who'll be on the field today are trying to make a good first impression. Non-roster invitees like Bryan Shaw, Ian Gibaut, and Austin Wynns are trying to prove that they belong, while prospects like Edwin Arroyo, Cam Collier, and Zach Maxwell are attempting to get a foothold heading into what will be a critical season in the minor leagues.

Get your popcorn ready, Reds fans. Neither Reds' game versus the Guardians nor the Brewers will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network Cincinnati. But CLEGUARDIANS.TV, in partnership with Major League Baseball, will carry today's game versus Cleveland. If you have a subscription to MLB.TV, you can stream today's Reds game against the Guardians. The contest can also be heard on 700 WLW with Tommy Thrall on the call alongside "The Cowboy" Jeff Brantley.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors