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A new era is starting for the Ohio Cup this season and there will even be a parade to mark the occasion.
The Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day game won’t take place in Cincinnati on April 7, but instead in Atlanta against the defending World Series champion Braves.
Tyler Mahle is starting that game for the Reds and the roster is going to look different from last year’s team.
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But the first Reds home game will be a few days later on Tuesday, April 12 at 4:10 pm against the Cleveland Guardians.
It’s the first year the professional baseball team in Cleveland is using their new nickname, “the Guardians” and thus it’s first Ohio Cup game between the Reds and Guardians.
Here’s what we know.
The first round of the Ohio Cup is a two-game series
The Reds open the season in Atlanta for a four-game series, fly back to Cincinnati for the 4:10 pm game and then play the Guardians again at 12:35 on April 13.
The Reds then begin a six-game West Coast road trip against the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.
The next Ohio Cup round is in May
The Reds will travel to Cleveland for a pair of 6:10 pm games on May 17 and 18.
The two-game series wraps up the Ohio Cup in 2022.
Who leads the Ohio Cup series?
The Guardians are 69-54 in the Ohio Cup and are on a two-game winning streak against the Reds. Cincinnati, though, is 30-30 against the Guardians at home.
Reds vs. Guardians began in 1997
The first regular season meeting between the teams was in 1997 when interleague play began. The eventual American League champions from Cleveland lost the series as the Reds went 2-1 in Cleveland.
Wade Miley would like to talk about the 2021 Ohio Cup and his no-hitter
There was a tie in the 2021 Ohio Cup with each team winning three games, but the biggest moment came when Reds pitcher Wade Miley threw a no-hitter against Cleveland in early May.
It was the 17th no-hitter in Reds history.
Who will pitch for the Reds in the 2022 home opener?
The Reds play the Braves in a four-game series and then there’s a scheduled off day on April 11, so there’s multiple starting pitching options available. The Reds could start Mahle on normal days rest for the home opener.
They could also start the No. 5 starter, whomever that may be. Top prospects Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft are all among the pitchers battling for three starting spots as Luis Castillo and Mike Minor could begin the season on the injured list.
Reds manager David Bell said Castillo is further ahead of Minor with their sore shoulder injuries.
Depending on when or if they go on the IL or can start pitching in spring training, and whether it’s the 15-day IL or the 60-day IL, Minor and Castillo may not be ready by the April 12 home opener.
Who will pitch for the Cleveland Guardians in the Ohio Cup
It’s possible the Reds could face 2020 American League Cy Young winner Shane Bieber at some point in the two games. But according to the Akron Beacon Journal, Bieber may not be the Opening Day starter as the team contemplates the pitching schedule.
The Guardians starts the season on April 7 in Kansas City. They have an off day on April 8 and play three more game against the Royals before coming to Cincinnati.
However, Cleveland’s home opener is April 15 against the Giants, which could factor into the pitching schedule.
Cleveland’s expected rotation, according to the Akron Beacon Journal is:
- Shane Bieber
- Triston McKenzie
- Aaron Civale
- Zach Plesac
- Cal Quantrill
Will there be a Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade?
Yes, but it won’t be on April 7 when the Reds are in Atlanta. The Reds Opening Day Parade will be on April 12 before the home opener.
Who’s 2022 Grand Marshal for the Opening Day Parade?
The Grand Marshal has not been named as of March 28.
Here’s what the Cincinnati Enquirer reported on March 24:
Last year, the committee picked Ron Murphy, a Norwood police officer and parade photographer who is now recovered from an early 2021 brain aneurysm. The year before, now-retired Reds’ broadcaster Marty Brennaman was the Grand Marshal pick.
Neither got to lead the parade – and won’t, apparently, when the 101st annual event kicks off at noon on April 12, ahead of the Reds’ 4 pm home opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
A former Reds player has been invited this year, Luken said when asked for a hint at the announcement to come.
An All-Star pick, maybe?
“That’d be too much of a hint,” he said.
