When the Baltimore Orioles, a team as young and talented as they come, faces off against the Cincinnati Reds with Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and their own playoff dreams, it's like a blast from the past, right? The memories of 1970 come rushing back — Brooks Robinson, Johnny Bench, Jim Palmer, and Pete Rose in the World Series.
But hey, don't expect today's Reds, especially the 20-something Spencer Steer, to know much about that era. "No idea what you’re talking about," Steer admits when asked about 1970. But that's the beauty of youthful and thrilling teams; they're all about the now.
Back in 1970, a very young Reds squad marked the beginning of the Big Red Machine era with their first playoff appearance in nearly ten years. Now, fast forward to today, and there are still five months of baseball to be played before we can truly judge this year's Reds team, let alone predict their competitive future.
This weekend's series at Great American Ball Park features Hunter Greene kicking things off on the mound, with Nick Lodolo closing it on Sunday, and Andrew Abbott in between. Opening Day starter Frankie Montas is gearing up to return from a bruised forearm, ready to rejoin the rotation for Tuesday’s series opener against the defending NL-champs, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
But can this rotation, which also includes Graham Ashcraft, stand tall in October? It's a long road ahead, with much to prove for this youthful lineup, especially if they want to face off against the likes of the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, and the Padres in the coming month.
Despite recent setbacks, the Reds are holding their own, even without key players like Matt McLain and TJ Friedl. And with promising rookie Noelvi Marte out due to a steroid suspension, the team is patiently waiting for everyone to come together and perform at their best.
"We played good freaking baseball," Montas affirms, echoing the team's sentiment. The Reds are ready to take on anyone, fueled by the confidence that they can beat any team that comes their way. So, watch out, because when this team finally clicks, it's going to be a scary sight for the rest of the league.
Login