After finishing third in the National League Central with an 82-80 record in 2023, the Cincinnati Reds are gearing up for the 2024 season with high hopes. The team is banking on the enthusiasm generated by the emergence of promising talents like Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. With aspirations to contend for the division title and make waves in the postseason, the Reds have reinforced their pitching staff by adding free agents Nick Martinez and Frankie Montas, along with veteran infielder Jeimer Candelario. Here are three bold predictions for the upcoming season:
Breakout Sophomore: Despite the hype around Elly De La Cruz, it’s predicted that Matt McLain will outshine him offensively in his second season. McLain’s impressive stats from last year, including a.290 batting average and 16 home runs, suggest he’ll have a greater impact than De La Cruz, Will Benson, and Christian Encarnacion Strand. It’s projected that McLain will play around 150 games, hitting between.288 and.294 with notable contributions in doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, runs scored, walks, and stolen bases.
Bullpen Upgrade: While the Reds had the most saves in the league last season, they struggled with blown save opportunities and a high bullpen ERA. With Nick Martinez joining in mid-late May and a trade for additional bullpen support in mid-June, it’s anticipated that the bullpen’s ERA will drop from over 4.00 to below 3.70, potentially leading to the team’s first title in years.
Dominant Rotation: A trio of Hunter Greene, Frankie Montas, and a healthy Nick Lodolo is expected to form a formidable starting rotation for the Reds. With Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, and Nick Martinez also in the mix, it’s predicted that these three starters will combine for 46 wins and over 165 strikeouts each, spearheading the team’s pitching success in the upcoming season.
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