DraftKings has set a 65.5-game win total for the 2023 Cincinnati Reds. The +20000 World Series favorite finished dead-last in the National League Central Division and didn’t add any significant players this offseason to improve their 62-100 2022 mark. The Reds winning more than the DraftKings Sportsbook in Ohio number is possible, but that depends on how the several young players within the organization develop alongside some aging veterans hoping to return to their former winning ways.
Cincinnati Reds New Faces in 2023
While Cincinnati did most of its rebuilding during the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline, the Reds did make some notable moves this offseason.
- Luke Maille C
- Curt Caseli C
- Wil Myers OF/1B
- Luke Weaver SP
- Nick Solak OF
- Kevin Newman IF
Starting Pitching Woes Continue?
The Reds starting rotation struggled in 2022. Nick Lodolo, Hunter Green, and Graham Ashcroft return to anchor a pitching staff finishing its 2022 campaign with the 28th-worst team ERA. Lodolo led the current staff last season in ERA, and Luis Cessa and Justin Down are expected to round out the starting rotation. Maybe Cincinnati can find some additional help down on the farm – ESPNs Kiley McDaniel claims the Reds have the 5th best farm system in all of baseball.
Bullpen Must Improve in 2023
The Cincinnati bullpen struggled to the 27th-best team ERA but 14th in blown saves. Lucas Sims misses nearly all of 2022 with a back injury and is set to become the Reds’ closer. Buck Farmer and Ian Gibaut could also see time at the closer position if Sims is either injured or falters.
Reds Offense Has Question Marks
The Reds 2022 offense finished 29th in WAR and 26th in wOBA. Former 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India struggled with injuries during his sophomore campaign, and Cincinnati will need his bat to get going early and often.
Future Hall of Famer Joey Votto is returning from August rotator cuff surgery, and rookie shortstop Elly de la Cruz could spark the lineup when he is called up later this season. 3B Mike Moustakas is in the final year of his contract and has played in just 78 games–Cincinnati will need a big season from Moustakas, and Solak is being counted on for production from the DH spot.
Can the Cincinnati Reds Win Over 65.5 Games?
Yes, the Reds can win over 65.5 games -115 at DraftKings.
Cincinnati is in rebuild mode under 5th-year manager David Bell, but Cincinnati has some good young players, and if veterans like Moustakas and Votto have bounce-back campaigns, the Reds could likely win up to 70 games.
The question mark will be the pitching staff– Lodolo, Green, and Ashcroft looked good in limited roles last season, but the bullpen needs to stabilize rather quickly, and if it does, Cincinnati will exceed the oddsmakers’ 65.5 -115 win total.
Can the Cincinnati Reds win the NL Central Division?
No, the Reds won’t win the NL Central Division, no matter how enticing the +6000 odds seem to be.
The NL Central should remain strong at the top of the division. St. Louis looks poised for another solid campaign, while the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates have improved. Milwaukee may spoil the Cardinals’ plans, but each team has a better chance of winning the NL Central than Cincinnati.
Can the Cincinnati Reds win the National League Pennant?
No, the Cincinnati Reds won’t win the NL Pennant.
The New York Mets (+380), Los Angeles Dodgers (+400), Atlanta Braves (+450), San Diego Padres (+500), and St Louis Cardinals (+800) have all improved their clubs, and the Reds’ current roster isn’t going to compete with those teams.
Cincinnati has too many question marks with its pitching staff and several players hoping for bounce-back seasons ever to think the Reds finish the season higher than 10th place in the National League.
