Baseball is finally back and the Reds start the year in Atlanta. These two teams could not be viewed more differently right now. The Reds traded away a lot of talent while the Braves will be celebrating a World Series and arguably got better. All of that is in the past now as both teams look to get off to a hot start.

Pitching Matchups 

Thursday – Tyler Mahle vs Max Fried

Friday – Reiver Sanmartin vs Charlie Morton

Saturday – Vladimir Gutierrez vs Kyle Wright

Sunday – Hunter Greene vs Ian Anderson

Things to watch for

• Will the struggles against left-handed pitchers continue this year?

Last season the Reds simply could not hit lefties and it was an issue all year long. They added some guys who are known for crushing lefties, most notably Tommy Pham and Donovan Solano. With Solano starting on the 10 day IL, the Reds will hope the addition of Pham and having a healthy Nick Senzel can be enough to rough up lefty Max Fried 

• How will the Bullpen look?

The Reds Bullpen was horrible at the start of last season. It got better over time with some waiver claims and trade deadline acquisitions but a lot of those people are gone. The Reds’ best option is Lucas Sims and he will start the year on the 10 day IL. The options outside of him are talented but have not proved much on the MLB level, so it will be exciting to see who steps up.

• Hunter Greene’s long-awaited debut 

The time has finally come, Hunter Greene is taking the mound in an MLB game. The Reds’ top prospect is faced with a tough task to start his career as he is facing the reigning World Series champs. I am excited to see how his pitch mix plays at the big league level.

Series Prediction 

You can’t ask for a tougher start if you are the Reds. I think there is a shot they can walk out of here with a series split if they can pull off an opening day win behind a great start from Tyler Mahle. If not, with the pitching questions to start the year I like the Braves to take the series 3-1