2009 Cincinnati Reds Odds & Predictions

Trading away sluggers Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn last season signaled a change in the direction of this franchise. They are looking to build a contender with younger players, and I can’t say I blame them for trying a different approach after eight straight losing seasons. Cincy has some good young talent already in place and if the starting pitching rotation can surprise, the Reds just might surprise as well. The Cincinnati Reds are listed at +5500 to win the 2009 World Series.

Pitching
Edinson Volquez came on strong in 2008 as the ace of this staff. Volquez went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA and led the division in strikeouts. Aaron Harang is a guy the Reds were counting on to give them double digit wins year in and year out. He went just 6-17 in 2008 with a 4.78 ERA. He did show some promise down the stretch, posting a 2.83 ERA over his last eight starts. Bronson Arroyo eats up a lot of innings, but he hasn’t been the pitcher the Reds hoped they were getting from the Red Sox. He did have a solid 15-11 season in 2008, but that is because he was so good in September when it was too little too late. Johnny Cueto might have the biggest upside in the starting rotation. He went just 9-14 in his rookie season but showed brilliant stuff at times, leading NL rookies in strikouts. Micah Owings is the wild card. He struggled in 2008 for Arizona after a solid rookie season, but the talent is certainly there.

The pen is in good hands with closer Francisco Cordero. He did not blow a save after July 21 and finished with 34 for the season. The same cast returns which finished third in bullpen ERA in the NL last season.

Lineup
The Reds got themselves a good lead off man in center fielder Willy Taveras, who led the majors with steal (68) despite only playing 133 games. He has been the starting center fielder for two of the last four NL Champions and I think that says a lot about what speed and solid defense can do for a team. Second baseman Brandon Phillips is on the verge of reaching elite status at his position. He had 21 homeruns, 78 RBIs, and 23 steals last season. First baseman Joey Votto joins Phillips on the right side of the infield and packs a punch at the plate as well. Votto hit .297 with 24 homeruns and 84 RBIs last season. The Reds are in good hands on the other corner as well with Edwin Encarnacion. His glove still has a ways to go but his power numbers are undeniable. He slugged 26 homeruns last year. Right fielder Jay Bruce played 108 games with the Reds after getting called up and ripped 21 homers and 52 RBIs. It will be interesting to see what he can do in a full season. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez, catcher Ramon Hernandez, and left fielder Chris Dickerson will likely be in the starting lineup as well.

Prediction: 5th Place NL Central
There are quite a few young sticks in place in this lineup to put a lot of runs on the board and the bullpen is solid, but the question remains how the starting rotation will fare. I don’t think it will be good enough to get the Reds their first winning season in nine years, but we should see some improvement.  The Cincinnati Reds are listed at +800 to in the NL Central.

Beat the MLB odds with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s award winning MLB picks this baseball betting season.

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