Cincinnati Reds Are Still Ahead of Schedule
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The Cincinnati Reds have tremendous upside with young phenom Elly De La Cruz and company.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
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You can't win them all.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
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The dog days can take their toll. See Reds manager David Bell.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
Pitch Session
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Hunter Greene was the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft.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
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Matt McLain, left, Nick Senzel and the rest of the Reds have opened some eyes this season.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
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When opportunity knocks, open the door.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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