Five Dumb Predictions for the 2026 Cincinnati Reds

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds runs towards first base during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on March 12, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images When was the last time the Cincinnati Reds rolled into a season on such an upswing? They made the playoffs last year.

Even after they did that, they didn’t immediately lose half their roster to free agency, or have their minuscule budget force them to trade away key stars. They’ve got a Hall of Fame manager at the helm, a starting rotation whose depth is the envy of the entire league, and a bona fide star in the making as their shortstop. They even brought back the world’s greatest gum-bubble blower.

Today the Cincinnati Reds will take on the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on Opening Day as the 2026 season officially gets under way. With that in mind, here are Five Dumb Predictions for the upcoming Reds season – some of which I truly hope are woefully inaccurate. Matt McLain swipes 35 bags All the way back in 2023, McLain swiped 14 bases in just 89 games as part of his ‘breakout’ before shoulder and oblique issues set back his entire career.

Then, in 2025, he stole another 18 in 147 games despite barely keeping his OBP at the . 300 level. Now, though, he looks to be fully healthy once again, and I’m banking on him actually getting on base at a respectable clip for a full season – and that will provide him with ample opportunity to do more swiping.