2007 Cincinnati Reds Predictions

Get ready for the season with our 2008 Cincinnati Reds predictions!

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Reds pitching has been somewhat of a joke in recent years. It was the main reason why a team with big bats finished 19 games below .500 on the road in 2005. But thanks in large part to Bronson Arroyo, the Reds staff wasn’t nearly as laughable in 2006 and as a result, they improved seven games on the road. I’m expecting Arroyo and Aaron Harang to make up one of the best one-two combinations in the National League. After that, the other three potential starters haven’t shown enough consistency for the Reds to even know what they will get. The pen is what could really hurt this team, though. For the third straight year in a row, the Reds are not one hundred percent sure who their closer will be. It looks like it will be closer by committee in 2007. This strategy will be more effective than placing it squarely on one guy, but it has never proven to be the ultimate recipe for success.

The offense has been what has kept the Reds from being brutally embarrassed over the last few seasons, but production dropped off in 2006. Freel gives the Reds their only speed threat in the lead off spot. Hattleberg is a great contact hitter who I would love to see the Reds hit and run with when Freel gets on to start the game. Ken Griffey Junior is still talented, but there’s no way this guy stays healthy all season. I like the Reds move to take him out of center. I think it could improve his health by relieving some additional pounding on his body. Hopefully it won’t take away the confidence that has made him one of baseball’s best sluggers over the last decade and a half. Dunn needs to bounce back with a strong season in 2007 after a drop off in production in 2006. I know that’s picky for a guy who hit 40 bombs, but they need his RBI’s back over the 100 mark. Edwin Encarnacion is also going to have to get into the run producing act. 72 RBI’s won’t cut it especially if Junior misses any significant amount of time.

The Reds inconsistent pitching along with their power hitting made them a strong overs team in 2005, especially at home where the Reds and their opponents combined for over 11 runs per game. I’m normally not a big fan of playing lots of totals, but this should be something to watch for once again in 2007. 2006 saw Cincy’s pitching improve which hurt our overs plays on the Reds. We’ll keep a close eye on this again in the early going to see if playing overs on Cincy can once again be a profitable wager.

Cincinnati is looking for that balance right now on offense and defense. The Reds got some much needed improvement in their starting pitching last season, but then their sticks went into hibernation. Cincy did nothing to address a down year offensively and instead added Alex Gonzalez to shore up the defense. The teams who made the bigger off season moves are going to benefit in the Central, which leaves the Reds out. Only Pittsburgh can keep Cincy out of the cellar in 2007.

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