Cincinnati Reds World Series Odds: Can The Reds Shock The World?

Could the Reds upset the odds and win the National League Pennant in 2022?

It all Begins with the Division

We can talk about the World Series all we want, but the path to the Fall Classic begins with making the postseason. However, earning a National League Wild Card berth is going to be difficult in 2022 since teams like the Padres, Giants, Dodgers, Mets, Braves, and more will all be competing for the two Wild Card spots. 

The NL Central, however, could be the ticket for the Reds earning a playoff berth.

The Pirates are in full rebuild mode, and the Cubs sold off their best players last season as well. The Cardinals feature a talented roster, but they have some holes. 

The main competition will be the Brewers. Milwaukee makes up for its rather underwhelming offense with elite starting pitching. At +500, there is some value in picking the Reds to win, especially if they get hot at the right time.

So can Cincinnati match up with the Brewers? It all starts with the Reds starting rotation.

Pitching is the Key

The Reds could end up featuring one of the better rotations in baseball in 2022. Luis Castillo is a true ace when he pitches up to his potential. He overcame a terrible start in 2021 to end up having a decent year. 

Sonny Gray and Tyler Mahle make up a formidable 2-3 punch in the rotation. Gray is a veteran right-handed starter with quality control and an ability to limit the damage. Meanwhile, Mahle is a 27-year-old right-hander who has plenty of strikeout upside and could make a bid for an all-star selection in 2022.

There are some questions in the back end of the rotation, but Cincinnati’s front-loaded pitching staff will be the key to success.

The bullpen has a number of question marks. But there is a ton of depth, and the possibility for a top 15 bullpen in the MLB remains a possibility. 

Lucas Sims and Luis Cessa emerged as capable back of the bullpen options in 2021. Amir Garrett struggled for the most part last season, but his track record suggests he could be in line for a bounceback effort in 2022.

Tejay Antone is one of the better relievers in baseball, but he is expected to miss the majority of the season after receiving Tommy John surgery towards the end of 2021. But he could be a huge addition late in the season if he is able to recover quickly from the surgery.

Nonetheless, this is an interesting bullpen that will be worth keeping tabs on. 

Final Verdict

The Reds have a lineup that should be able to produce at a fairly high-level next season.

Jesse Winker broke onto the scene and is now considered one of the better hitting outfielders in the game. Infielder Jonathan India is fresh off of a tremendous rookie campaign, and slugger Mike Moustakas could see an uptick in production if he is able to relax in the designated hitter role.

Eugenio Suarez labored throughout the 2021 season, but he offers immense power and could be a staple in the middle of the lineup if he can find some consistency.

I don’t see the Reds dominating in any one area of the game. But as long as they are able to hit and pitch at an above league average level, they should be in line to compete. If Cincinnati can keep up with St. Louis and Milwaukee, the Reds could make the postseason. The Reds do have better odds than the Guardians to win at +4000 where the Guardians are at +7000 but like the Guardians, I tend to think this is a donation.

The starting rotation with Castillo, Gray, and Mahle could pitch Cincinnati into the World Series. The odds are not great at +4000, but the Reds could shock the world and reach the Fall Classic in 2022.

Be sure to like betJACK on Facebook for all the latest on the MLB Lockout as the negotiations continue!