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2008 Cincinnati Reds Predictions & Season Preview

Jimmy reveals that the Reds will improve in this 2008 Cincinnati Reds predictions article. Find out just how far they will climb in the NL Central.

Starting Rotation/Bullpen

The starting rotation is in solid shape, it was the pen that needed to be mended. GM Wayne Krivsky signed former Brewers closer Francisco Cordero to address the issue of squandering late-inning leads and I believe it will pay off. Gaining Cordero moves David Weathers to an eighth-inning role where he should thrive. Weathers had 33 saves for Cincy last season but should be an even more dynamic setup artist. Jared Burton posted an ERA of just 1.37 in his final 27 games and should be able to be relied on again. The Reds will need a lefty to emerge to really have a special bullpen unit and Mike Stanton and Bill Bray likely won’t fill the void.

Aaron Harang may have been one of baseball’s most underrated starters heading into 2007, but the Reds’ number one should start to get his due this year. Harang went 16-6 with a 3.73 ERA and didn’t even have an All-Star selection to show for it. Bronson Arroyo is a solid starter, but suffered a poor record in 2007 as the Reds scored two or fewer runs in nearly half of his starts. Matt Belisle was finally healthy in 2007 and it showed as he neared the 200 innings mark. I expect him to be a 12-game winner this season. Homer Bailey is Cincy’s young gun. He made his Red’s debut at age 21, making him the youngest Red to start a game since 1970. He went 4-2 in his short stint in the bigs and could be a good one. Bobby Livingston will likely get tossed into the fifth position as the Reds need a lefty

Batting Order

Centerfielder Ryan Freel struggled with injuries in 2007. Injuries have become a by-product of his balls-to-the-wall play, but he’s going to have to choose his spots as the Reds desperately need him at the top of the order. First baseman Joey Votta got a late season call-up and took advantage, hitting .321 for the Reds. Ken Griffey Jr. will play rightfield and hit third. Junior is just seven HRs shy of 600 and proved in 2007 that he still has some life left. He played 144 games, had 30 jacks, and 93 RBIs. You don’t see second baseman hitting cleanup too often, but Brandon Phillips will likely hit fourth for the Reds. You can’t argue with his 30 round trippers and 94 RBIs. Oh yeah, he also stole 32 bases. Adam Dunn is one of three lefty sticks in the top of this order. Only Albert Pujols has more HRs than Dunn’s 238 among players 28 or younger. He had 40 bombs in ’07 along with 106 RBIs. We can count on 30 and 100 from this guy year after year. The bottom of this order is considerably weaker with Edwin Encarnacion, Alex Gonzalez, and David Ross.

The Reds will duke it out with the Brewers for second place in the NL Central and I believe Cincy has what it takes to edge them out after making the great offseason move of bringing on Cordero.

Jimmy Boyd’s baseball picks have been second to none in the handicapping industry the past seven years. Mr. Boyd has mastered the art of picking underdogs, allowing his clients to win more while risking less. Sign up for a season package and play with Jimmy through the World Series. You’ll make more than you ever thought possible.

Odds to win NL Central: 8/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant: 15/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 50/1

Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:

Updated February 18th, 2008