Opening Day Series Preview: Reds vs Phillies

The Reds and Phillies will square off on Monday at 4:10 in Cincinnati, and let's face it there are not too many things bigger than Opening Day in the city of Cincinnati.  The bad news? It's not looking to promising for the Reds this year.  Cincinnati lost 98 games with the likes of Johnny Cueto, Todd Frazier, Mike Leake, and Aroldis Chapman last year.  The good news?  The only team worse than the Reds this year just might be the Phillies.

 

If the Reds want to do the unthinkable and put together a pretty good season than a good start is vital.  This is a great opportunity to pick up a series win. Check out this hype video to get ready for Opening Day

Game 1: Raisel Iglesias vs. Jeremy Hellickson
Raisel Iglesias got the nod from manger Bryan Price to start Opening Day for the Reds a couple days ago. Iglesias made an appearance in 18 games for the Reds last year going 3-7 with a 4.15 ERA.  Iglesias showed vast improvement towards the end of last year so I think he should be able to give the Reds 6 good innings in this one. 

Starting for the Phillies will be Jeremy Hellickson who was an Arizona Diamondback last year. Hellickson had a down year last year compared to his first three years with a 9-12 record and a 4.62 ERA. Hellickson nor Iglesias have faced the Reds or Phillies before.

Reds fans can only hope that Joey Votto returns to his old form from last year and hits a couple dingers.  Hitting should not be the problem for this team, it's pitching.  The Bullpen will definitely be an issue and I do not have ANY confidence whatsoever in JJ Hoover as the closer. Honestly this will probably be the only sellout of the year and nothing is bigger than Opening Day in Cincinnati. With that being said, I'll go with the Reds in the first game 6-5 because I'm biased.

In 2013 thousands of Reds fans fled to Holy Grail On The Banks two hours before Opening Day to get a spot to watch the game.

Game 2: Brandon Finnegan vs Aaron Nola
Finnegan was acquired by the Reds from the Royals last year in the Johnny Cueto deal.  Every game Finnegan entered last year it was out of the bullpen so this will be his 1st start.  Finnegan has had VERY rough spring training and I mean rough.  His ERA currently stands at 10.29.

I think Finnegan will need some time before he gets a couple good outings in as a starter.  I belive the Phillies will jump on him and the bullpen in this one.  Aaron Nola should be able to hold down a big lead. Phillies 7 Reds 4

Game 3: Cincinnati has not named a starter vs. Charlie Morton
The rubber match...The Reds have yet to name a starter for this game as of Friday.  Charlie Morton for the Phillies played for the Pirates last year so he is a little familiar with the Reds.  Morton started one game against the Reds last year, in which he threw 7 innings of shutout baseball.  The Pirates won the game 3-0. 

Because of my Cincinnati bias, I'll take the Reds 4-3 in this one.

ESPN previewed the 30 teams in the MLB.  Cincinnati was ranked 28th and the Phillies dead last at 30th.  A good opportunity for both to try to pick up an early series win.

In all honesty, this will be a BAD season for the Reds.  No matter how much hope we have this team is not going to compete for a spot in the playoffs.  The Reds are in a mini rebuild so its something that has got to happen.  A productive season for Cincinnati would be anything in or around 70 wins.