Chicago Cubs: Pitching a focus because it will make the difference in Central

Cincinnati Reds need a healthy Homer Bailey to have a chance

It seems like the Cincinnati Reds are never rebuilding – but, for that matter, they’re never a true contender, either. But with a young core that showed plenty of promise offensively in 2017, it’s all up to the pitching staff in 2018.

This team needs Homer Bailey. When they inked the right-hander to a massive six-year, $105 million extension, they expected big things. Even now, he’s just 31 years old and could become a quality starter. But that hasn’t happened.

Since 2015, Bailey has made just 26 starts. In said starts, he hasn’t exactly been effective, either. He owns a 4.66 FIP and a 1.723 WHIP with an unsightly 68 ERA+. So, as mentioned. If the Reds have any chance of competing, Bailey has to be healthy in 2018.

Behind him, it’s a mix of Tim Adleman, Sal Romano and Luis Castillo. This trio has some work to do before they’re considered the makings of a contending big-league staff. Adleman barely kept his earned run average under 6.00 (5.52), while Romano struggled to control his strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Based strictly on the numbers, Castillo seems to have the most promise of the three. He made only 15 starts in 2017, but was effective and controlled his pitches well. He’s a name to keep an eye on in 2018 in Cincinnati.