4 CINCINNATI REDS

O/U WINS: 81.5

KEY PLAYER: With

Trevor Bauer off to Los Angeles, it’s officially Luis Castillo’s rotation. He’s the young ace of the staff and looking to build on the 3.35 ERA he has registered over the past two seasons. PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: Nick Senzel. It’s time for the center fielder to show why he was the No. 2-overall draft pick in 2016. He did it in the minors but has struggled to stay healthy in the big leagues, which has kept his bat from making a major impact in the Reds lineup. NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: Another high draft pick, Jonathan India (No. 5-overall in 2018), reached Double-A in 2019. Now the infielder is vying for a shot to make the Reds out of camp, with his bat and on-base skills potentially forcing the issue.

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Early in camp, Joey Votto said he wanted to “get back to being dangerous.” But can the 37-year-old get there? A bout with COVID-19 during spring training won’t help, putting his status for Opening Day in question. HOW IT’LL GO DOWN: The Reds made the expanded playoff field last season, but won’t have Bauer to help in that pursuit this season. Another strong season from Sonny Gray, if he’s able to shake off the back issues that bothered him during camp, would go a long way to softening the blow. In the lineup, the Reds are counting on veterans like Votto, Nick Castellanos and Mike Moustakas to be better than they were last season, while hoping their young talent rises to the occasion. It’s a risky proposition.

PROJECTED LINEUP LF Jesse Winker

RF Nick Castellanos 1B Joey Votto SS Eugenio Suarez 3B Mike Moustakas CF Nick Senzel

C Tucker Barnhart 2B Jonathan India

ROTATION

RHP Luis Castillo RHP Tyler Mahle LHP Wade Miley RHP Jeff Hoffman RHP Jose De Leon