Know Your Enemy: Cincinnati Reds

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Reds finished with a 90-72 record and made the playoffs for the third time in the last four years, but ultimately lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Wild Card Game.

With a winning team set, the Reds only made two significant changes in the offseason, they fired manager Dusty Baker and replaced him with pitching coach Bryan Price and will start Billy Hamilton in center field after Shin-Soo Choo signed with the Texas Rangers in free agency.

Price, who has never managed at the major or minor league level, will be replaced by former Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Pico as pitching coach. Hamilton is known for his speed and stole 13 bases in 13 games last September for the Reds after spending the majority of 2013 at Triple-A Louisville.

Ryan Ludwick, who missed time in 2013 with injuries, will return to the outfield and Skip Schumaker will serve as an utility backup player. Three-time Gold Glove winning second baseman Brandon Phillips will anchor the defensive with first baseman Joey Votto bringing the offense.

Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake, and Tony Cingrani are set for the starting rotation and Aroldis Chapman returns as closer.

Projected Lineup
Billy Hamilton OF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Joey Votto 1B
Jay Bruce OF
Ryan Ludwick OF
Todd Frazier 3B
Devin Mesoraco Catcher
Zack Cozart SS

Schedule
Reds @ Cubs April 18-19-20
Cubs @ Reds April 21-28-29-30
Reds @ Cubs June 23-24-25
Cubs @ Reds July 7-8-9-10
Cubs @ Reds August 26-27-28
Reds @ Cubs September 15-16-17

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