rewrite this title Three reasons this NL Central team may be the surprise of the season

When analyzing the NL Central for the 2025 MLB season, your attention would immediately gravitate towards the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs as the favorites to win the division.

Milwaukee has won the division three of the last four seasons while Chicago has been one of the most aggressive teams this offseason.

A team many folks have not said much about that has a solid roster is the Cincinnati Reds. With legendary manager Terry Francona returning to a managerial position, here are three reasons the Reds may be one of the surprise teams in the MLB this season.

1. Starting rotation

The Reds have one of the more underrated starting rotations in all of baseball. Hunter Greene is the ace of the staff, and he is coming off the best season of his career. 

Greene finished 2024 with a 2.75 ERA and finished eighth in Cy Young voting.

The rotation also features former Royals starter Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Nick Martinez.

Abbott, Lodolo and Martinez have been in Cincinnati for multiple seasons, with Abbott and Martinez both having solid 2024 campaigns. Lodolo has shown flashes but has been derailed by injuries.