The Reds have formally set their 28-man roster for their three-game Wild Card Series showdown against the Braves. Here’s how it breaks down:
Right-Handed Pitchers
- Tejay Antone
- Trevor Bauer (Game 1 starter)
- Archie Bradley
- Luis Castillo (Game 2 starter)
- Sonny Gray (Game 3 starter)
- Raisel Iglesias
- Michael Lorenzen
- Tyler Mahle
- Lucas Sims
- Robert Stephenson
Left-Handed Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
- Shogo Akiyama
- Aristides Aquino
- Nick Castellanos
- Brian Goodwin
- Travis Jankowski
- Nick Senzel
- Jesse Winker
The Reds made the decision to leave off starter Anthony DeSclafani and reliever Sal Romano. Instead, they’re carrying right-handed-hitting infielder Matt Davidson as an additional weapon against left-handed pitching and outfielder Travis Jankowski to provide some speed off the bench and a potential late defensive upgrade. Versatile Kyle Farmer is listed with the team’s infielders but could just as easily have been listed as a catcher. He can play all over the infield and has gotten some outfield work in 2020 as well, but Farmer has nearly 2900 innings behind the dish between the big leagues and the minors as well.
As has been clear for some time now, the Reds will lean heavily on one of the game’s most formidable rotation trios: Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray. The club was able to set up each right-hander to take the ball on regular rest — more than that in Bauer’s case, who last pitched on Sept. 23. This type of setup was the exact scenario the Reds envisioned 14 months ago when acquiring Bauer, and the presence of three legitimate front-of-the-rotation arms makes Cincinnati more dangerous than their No. 7 seed would lead many casual onlookers to believe.
As a Cubs fan, that rotation has to be something every team is hoping they don’t have to come across. If the bats can find a way to scrape away some runs, it’s going to be a tough out to beat the Reds in a series.
Cub fan here as well. I can’t believe how many “experts” are picking the Braves. Not only are the Red’s starters excellent, but their bats have picked up again. I could end up being completely wrong, but I’m betting Brave’s fans, who know the game, are not comfortable.
I haven’t heard one expert pick the braves
Also 7 out of top 12 pitching staffs came from central divisions. So everyone’s average is down. Yelich is hitting 220 or so….same for Rizzo
Didn’t the Reds DFA Matt Davidson?
Reds Designate Matt Davidson For Assignment mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/reds-designate-matt-dav…
yes but he was re-signed to a minor league deal
The question is did they have space on the 40 man for him without letting go of anyone. I guess this move was planned when they let Nate Jones go.
That was my thought too, AZPat. I think you are right. He simply took Nate Jones 40 man spot.
They had 39 guys on the roster. They just added him back in to get to their 40.
Reds are set up to be successful in short series so they should advance against a tough braves team
Agree with Davidson and Disco calls, can’t say the same about Bob Stephenson and Jankowsky, better off Tyler Stephenson and Romano instead.
Stephenson and Disco too inconsistent both likely not with Reds next year
It’s October. The month the dead come back to life. Be weary of the Big Red Machine !
I think you mean *wary*
After yesterday, I’m pretty weary…what a game!