The Cincinnati Reds have already decided on their Opening Day starter. The honor belongs to last year’s standout Tyler Mahle, who is now set to face the reigning World Series champs Atlanta Braves when the 2022 MLB season starts on April 7. 

The Reds’ manager David Bell delivered the news to Mahle and said that the 27-year-old player was really excited for the opportunity.

“It was a real honor to give him the news,” Bell said. “He doesn’t always show it, but he was really excited. He knows how important it is, and he’s earned it. He has quietly become one of the best pitchers in baseball.”

Mahle has been quietly good for the Reds ever since he made his majors debut in 2017. However, his game really took off last season when he had league-leading 33 starts. He finished the campaign with a 13-6 record, 3.75 ERA, and career-best 210 strikeouts.

Despite being arguably the best pitcher on the Reds last year, Mahle didn’t expect to get the Opening Day nod. In previous years, Veteran Luis Castillo had that honor and was expected to continue the tradition in 2022. However, Castillo is dealing with shoulder pain at the moment, making the transition easier for Bell.

“It means a lot,” Mahle said after learning the news. “Some people never get to do this. I may only get to do it once. I don’t know so I will try to make the most of it and have a lot of fun.”

The post Reds Announce Tyler Mahle as Opening Day Starter appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cincinnati Reds are entering the 2020 MLB season with a new starter. Reds’ manager David Bell announced on Wednesday that All-Star Sonny Gray will step in as the team’s Opening Day pitcher against Detroit Tigers on July 24th.

Gray got the nod ahead of Luis Castillo who started last season. The 30-year-old right-hander is set to be Reds’ fifth different starter since 2016.

Castillo, who had his first career All-Star appearance last season, will be second in rotation with Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley, and Anthony DeSclafani filling in the rest of the depth chart.

Explaining his decision, Bell said that he took into consideration the readiness of the players and the matchups Cincinnati will face early in the season.

“It tells the story right there,” said Bell. “When you have Luis Castillo and Trevor Bauer and Wade Miley and Anthony DeSclafani—who made great strides last year—and none of those guys is the opening day starter, it says a lot.”

For Sonny Gray, who joined Cincinnati just last season, this will be his third career Opening Day start. He got his first two with Oakland Athletics, getting a win and ND while combining for 14 shutout innings.

Gray finished 2019 with 2.87 ERA and 205 strikeouts while posting an 11-8 record.

“It’s going to be an important day,” said Gray. “Baseball will be back, and it will be back in some of the weirdest and craziest circumstances.”

The post Reds’ Sonny Gray to Start Ahead of Luis Castillo on the Opening Day appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Cincinnati Reds have already decided on their Opening Day starter. The honor belongs to last year’s standout Tyler Mahle, who is now set to face the reigning World Series champs Atlanta Braves when the 2022 MLB season starts on April 7. 

The Reds’ manager David Bell delivered the news to Mahle and said that the 27-year-old player was really excited for the opportunity.

“It was a real honor to give him the news,” Bell said. “He doesn’t always show it, but he was really excited. He knows how important it is, and he’s earned it. He has quietly become one of the best pitchers in baseball.”

Mahle has been quietly good for the Reds ever since he made his majors debut in 2017. However, his game really took off last season when he had league-leading 33 starts. He finished the campaign with a 13-6 record, 3.75 ERA, and career-best 210 strikeouts.

Despite being arguably the best pitcher on the Reds last year, Mahle didn’t expect to get the Opening Day nod. In previous years, Veteran Luis Castillo had that honor and was expected to continue the tradition in 2022. However, Castillo is dealing with shoulder pain at the moment, making the transition easier for Bell.

“It means a lot,” Mahle said after learning the news. “Some people never get to do this. I may only get to do it once. I don’t know so I will try to make the most of it and have a lot of fun.”

The post Reds Announce Tyler Mahle as Opening Day Starter appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cincinnati Reds are entering the 2020 MLB season with a new starter. Reds’ manager David Bell announced on Wednesday that All-Star Sonny Gray will step in as the team’s Opening Day pitcher against Detroit Tigers on July 24th.

Gray got the nod ahead of Luis Castillo who started last season. The 30-year-old right-hander is set to be Reds’ fifth different starter since 2016.

Castillo, who had his first career All-Star appearance last season, will be second in rotation with Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley, and Anthony DeSclafani filling in the rest of the depth chart.

Explaining his decision, Bell said that he took into consideration the readiness of the players and the matchups Cincinnati will face early in the season.

“It tells the story right there,” said Bell. “When you have Luis Castillo and Trevor Bauer and Wade Miley and Anthony DeSclafani—who made great strides last year—and none of those guys is the opening day starter, it says a lot.”

For Sonny Gray, who joined Cincinnati just last season, this will be his third career Opening Day start. He got his first two with Oakland Athletics, getting a win and ND while combining for 14 shutout innings.

Gray finished 2019 with 2.87 ERA and 205 strikeouts while posting an 11-8 record.

“It’s going to be an important day,” said Gray. “Baseball will be back, and it will be back in some of the weirdest and craziest circumstances.”

The post Reds’ Sonny Gray to Start Ahead of Luis Castillo on the Opening Day appeared first on SportzBonanza.