The Cincinnati Reds one year ago sat four games below the .500 mark. It had been almost the entire month since they last had a winning record. That record was just 3-2. Thanks to a 12-game winning streak in the middle of June, the Reds were able to finish the season above 500. It was just the fourth time in 10 years they accomplished that feat. 2024 however has gotten off to a much different start.
Cincinnati Reds End Decade-Long Drought to Start 2024
Finishing the month of April with a 16-14 record, the Cincinnati Reds ended a decade-long drought within their franchise. This is the first time since the 2013 season the team entered the month of May with a winning record. Oddly enough, 2013 was the last time the Cincinnati Reds made the postseason during a full 162-game season.
The Cincinnati Reds making it through the month of April with a winning record was important for two reasons. The first, after all the injuries the team encountered during the spring, and the first few weeks of the season were impactful. Missing out on guys like Matt McLain, TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Nick Lodolo, and Frankie Montas impacted the team significantly. If the Reds were able to keep their heads above water while missing out of those impactful guys, they would be in a much better spot. Now, Lodolo has returned and looked dominant to start the year. Montas is set to return to the team next week. And Friedl is scheduled to start his rehab assignment this weekend.
The #Reds today sent OF TJ Friedl (right wrist fracture) and LHP Alex Young (low back disc degeneration) to Triple-A Louisville on a rehab assignment. pic.twitter.com/WLeC25Rx7f
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) May 2, 2024
No Time to Rest in May
The second reason getting off to a good start in April was important, is the gauntlet that lies ahead of the Cincinnati Reds fr the month of May. Heading into the first weekend of the month, the Reds host the Baltimore Orioles. The rest of the month consists of a home and home with the defending National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco, the Los Angeles Dodgers twice, San Diego, and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Although the Cincinnati Reds are set to bring back a few of their currently injured players, the upcoming schedule is going to test them. It is however a good test to see where they stack up. Playing a whole month against some of the best teams in the league can either sink your season. It could also set you up for success later on down the road. May will be a critical month for the Reds. But starting the year off with a winning month of April puts a little less stress on the team.
Main Photo: © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
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