Opening Day is on Thursday March 27th. In Cincinnati, it’s just different. Up to 100,000 people or more line the streets of downtown Cincinnati for the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. The celebration begins at noon eastern time. Chris Sabo, a 1990 World Series champion in Cincinnati, will be the Grand Marshal alongside former NASCAR driver and FOX NASCAR reporter Michael Waltrip in honor of the Reds and Braves playing in the Bristol Motor Speedway infield. Many former Reds players go on record to say Cincinnati Opening Day is different than anywhere else.
One person who was witness to Reds Opening Day is the Reds’ new manager Terry Francona. Tito is entering his first season as skipper here in Cincinnati and he was part of opening day as a player here in Cincinnati in 1987. The Reds have only had one manager win their first opening day since 1998—David Bell won his debut game as manager in 2019. Terry has been pretty straightforward with how he wants his roster to go. With only 1 day remaining before opening day, only a few spots remain open for the coveted 26-man Major League roster.
Pitchers:
With the pitching staff, Francona announced the 5-man rotation would consist of Hunter Greene, tasked with his second career Opening Day start, followed by Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer, and Carson Spiers—with Andrew Abbott being placed on the injured list. Some people were hoping to see rookie Rhett Lowder crack the rotation to start the season, but I think this is the right move. Rhett was really good during his cup of coffee in 2024, but this gives him more time to build up for the long Major League season. The bullpen will consist of Brent Suter, Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagán, Sam Moll, Tony Santillan, Scott Barlow, Ian Gibaut, and Graham Ashcraft. Closer Alexis Diaz will placed on the IL to start the season with hamstring inflammation. The Reds acquired Rogers from San Francisco and Scott Barlow signing in free agency. With the Diaz situation, that leaves a hole at closer. The story line leading up to opening day will be: who gets the job?
Infield/Catchers:
The infield is set up well, the only concern is who will play majority at third base? Christian Encarnacion-Strand will play mostly 1st Base, with Matt McLain being next to him at 2nd Base. Elly De La Cruz will be the every day Shortstop with it looking like Jeimer Candelario will play 3rd base. Gavin Lux will look to split time in the infield, DH and possibly some time in the outfield. Santiago Espinal will be a rotational backup player that provides pretty solid defense and an okay contact bat. Tyler Stephenson will start the season on the IL so that causes concerns at catcher. The Reds extended newcomer Jose Trevino, showing him they have faith in him being the starting catcher while Stephenson is out, but also providing a quality presence when Tyler comes back. Austin Wynns will most likely be named the back up catcher, unless someone was to be signed right before the season.
Outfield:
With Spencer Steer starting the season on the IL, the Reds outfield really could use some help. It was a priority during the offseason to sign an outfield bat and we did, but it doesn’t feel like enough. The team signed Austin Hays to a 1-year deal with a mutual option for 2026. Hays struggled in 2024, but it was an undiagnosed kidney infection and a couple other injuries that hampered his season. It was reported on Tuesday that he is dealing with a calf injury, although there hasn’t been an announcement on if he will start the season on the IL or not. Terry Francona has a lot of faith in Hays, saying that he will bat cleanup when in the lineup. TJ Friedl will be slated to play centerfield, but he needs to have a healthy season for the team to be successful. Our outfield depth is not our strongest asset, going down levels in the farm system also. Right field will most likely see a platoon of Jake Fraley and Stuart Fairchild, with the 5th outfielder being either Blake Dunn, Jacob Hurtubise, or both depending on the Hays situation.
The Reds are in a strange position. They have a budding superstar in Elly De La Cruz. Potential stars in Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and I’ll even add Noelvi Marte to that mix—he just needs more time. The outfield is not going to blow the doors off, but I think they could surprise us. The pitching staff is lead by a potential Cy Young candidate in Hunter Greene alongside some good pitchers in Nick Lodolo and Nick Martinez. If there’s anyone that can get the most out of this roster, it’s Terry Francona.
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Photo Credits; FindlayMarket.org, MLB.com, CincinnatiEnquirer,
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