Sal Stewart has been nothing short of unbelievable in the first 18 games of the season. He is currently the team leader in batting average, home runs, RBI, on base percentage, slugging, hits, doubles, total bases, and carrying a 1.2 WAR. There have been some impressive starts to a rookie year in MLB history, and I would be hard pressed to believe this isn't up there for one of the best.
The pace that Sal is currently on would be record breaking. He is on pace to get 180 hits, hit 63 home runs, 36 doubles, 153 RBIs, 27 stolen bases. Is it likely that he can continue the pace he is on? No, probably not. But with a start like this it gives the team and the fans all the more reason to be overly optimistic on what this season could become.
The Reds currently sit at 11-7, good enough for 1st place in the NL Central. They are also slowing improving their run differential game by game. They say a great way to tell if a team is going to be successful late in the season is by their run differential. Looking back on last season, I believe that to be true. The Reds carried a run differential of +35 into the playoffs. That was the 2nd worst of all playoff teams. The other team being the Guardians who, like the Reds, were bounced from the post season in the Wild Card round. The Guardians not only made the playoffs but they also won their division with a run differential of -6. Truly mind blowing.
With the way the season is going the Reds are on pace to win 99 games and lose 63. That is such a fun thought. Winning almost 100 games all but guarantees you a division championship and a first round bye. Reds fans haven't experienced a divisional round playoff game since 2012. Cincinnati as a city is one of the greatest baseball cities in the entire country. I would love to see GABP filled to the brim with Reds fans for a home playoff series.
The Reds look to finish of the series sweep of the visiting Giants today at 12:40. Chase Burns on the mound for the Reds, Landen Roupp for the Giants. It will be interesting to see if Hinds makes the line up this afternoon, still chasing his first hit on the season. I would like to see Tito keep him in the line up to build his confidence and work through this tough start. He can clearly hit, he just needs a break out game here soon.
Prediction:
Reds: 5
Giants: 3
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