Cincinnati Reds Are Still Ahead of Schedule

The Reds have been a feel-good story this MLB season, and they are not far from being serious contenders.

The Cincinnati Reds weren’t expected to do much this season. Yet entering the dog days of summer, the Reds were in first place in the NL Central.

Finishing there won’t be easy, but they have a bright future.

This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Singing the Blues

Cincinnati Reds hitter Jake Fraley strikes out

You can’t win them all. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

These aren’t the dog days for nothing. After going 50-41 in the first half to lead the NL Central, the Reds started the second half with a 9-11 record and got kicked out of first place by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first week of August.

Central Intelligence

The dog days can take their toll. See Reds manager David Bell. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

The NL Central is shaping up to be a three-way dogfight with the Brewers, Reds and Cubs down the stretch. Cincy has struggled against division opponents, going 14-22 (entering play Aug. 4). Milwaukee (23-10) and Chicago (21-14) both have winning records.

NL Central Odds 2023

Milwaukee Brewers +115
Cincinnati Reds +190
Chicago Cubs +240
St. Louis Cardinals +9500
Pittsburgh Pirates +25000

Pitch Session

Hunter Greene was the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft. Steven Senne / AP Photo

The Reds pitching staff ranks third to last in the National League in ERA (4.84) and has given up 153 home runs, tied with the Rockies for most home runs allowed in the NL. The funny thing is, they have a lower ERA in the second half (4.69) than in the first half (4.87).

The Red made a minor move to upgrade their bullpen at the trade deadline by adding lefty reliever Sam Moll from the A’s for prospect Joe Boyle. They also could get a boost when Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, two of their young guns, return from injury soon.

Youth Movement

Matt McLain, left, Nick Senzel and the rest of the Reds have opened some eyes this season. Jeff Dean / AP Photo

Elly De La Cruz remains one of the most exciting players in baseball and has the makings of a generational superstar.

De La Cruz is still setting franchise records, and since being called up in June, he’s hitting .273 with eight homers (two leadoff), 21 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

Other young Reds have contributed, including Will Benson, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Matt McLain.

National League Rookie of the Year 2023

Corbin Carroll -3000
Matt McLain +2000
Elly De La Cruz +3500

Climbing the Ladder

Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz, Nick Senzel, Matt McLain

When opportunity knocks, open the door. Patrick Semansky / AP Photo

The Reds have been a feel-good story this season and still can win the NL Central or get a wild card.

But they haven’t won a playoff series since 1995 or won a World Series since 1990.

While this won’t be the year of the Reds, they are not that far away.

National League Winner 2023

Atlanta Braves +135
Los Angeles Dodgers +195
Philadelphia Phillies +1200
San Francisco Giants +1600
San Diego Padres +1700
Milwaukee Brewers +1800
Arizona Diamondbacks +2100
Miami Marlins +2500
Cincinnati Reds +2600

World Series Odds 2023

Atlanta Braves +300
Los Angeles Dodgers +440
Tampa Bay Rays +700
Houston Astros +700
Texas Rangers +800
Baltimore Orioles +1400
Toronto Blue Jays +1600
Philadelphia Phillies +2100
Minnesota Twins +2500
San Francisco Giants +3200
San Diego Padres +3500
New York Yankees +3500
Milwaukee Brewers +4200
Arizona Diamondbacks +5000
Boston Red Sox +5500
Cincinnati Reds +6000

This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. Subscribe to our newsletter.

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