Terry Francona's response reveals lofty expectations for Hunter Greene going forward

The Cincinnati Reds kicked off their 2025 season in disappointing fashion, falling to the San Francisco Giants 6-4 on Opening Day. It was a game filled with both promise and disappointment, as new Red’s manager Terry Francona tapped Ian Gilbaut to close out the game in the ninth.

A blown save followed, ultimately sealing the Reds’ fate. While the loss stings, there were bright spots — most notably, Hunter Greene’s strong start that left Francona optimistic about what’s to come.

Greene took the mound with electric stuff as expected, showcasing the dominance Reds fans have long hoped would become a hallmark of his game. Over five innings, he allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out eight, and issuing just one walk. His 84-pitch performance was a mix of overpowering fastballs and sharp secondary pitches, keeping the Giants largely in check.

Reds manager Terry Francona has high expectations for Hunter Greene

The biggest challenge for Greene came in the fourth inning, when he labored through a grueling 28-pitch stretch. The key moment came against Heliot Ramos, who battled through a long at-bat before launching a two-run homer — Greene’s only real blemish of the night.

After the game, Francona admitted he had hoped to see Greene push deeper into the game. The original plan was for six innings, possibly seven, but given it was just the first start of the season, he opted for a more cautious approach, and pulled Greene after the fifth inning. However, the message was clear: the sixth inning will be the expectation, and the Reds’ rotation will be counted on to eat innings throughout the season.

Francona’s old-school approach to starting pitching signals a shift in philosophy. Gone are the days of relying heavily on the bullpen — starters will need to be efficient, command their pitches well, and consistently deliver quality starts.

For Greene, a pitcher with explosive stuff and a past history of command issues, this will be a defining challenge in 2025. Last year, he averaged just under six innings per start, but if the Reds want to be a legitimate playoff contender, he and the rest of the rotation will need to take another step forward.

The Reds have spent years searching for a true “set it and forget it” ace — someone who can be trusted to take the mound and provide stability every fifth day. If Francona’s vision is to come to fruition, Greene must become that guy. He flashed ace potential last season, but the 2025 season will be the opportunity to prove he’s the guy to anchor the rotation. Can he take that next step and establish himself as a reliable workhorse?

For Cincinnati to emerge as a serious threat, their rotation must rise to the occasion. Greene’s Opening Day start was an encouraging sign, but the real test will continue throughout the season.

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