ESPN Chalk's Joe Peta is sharing his season win total projections for every MLB team, including a reason for optimism and pessimism. Plus, he recommends an over/under play, or a pass. This is the entry for the Cincinnati Reds.
Cincinnati Reds
Reason for optimism: Last year's disappointment corresponded with losing Joey Votto for nearly two-thirds of the season. He returns healthy in 2015.
Reason for pessimism: The Reds got to first base with less frequency than nearly any other MLB team in 2014.
The Reds refuse to be mediocre. Going back to the 2001 season, the Reds have only once finished the season with their win total in the 80s. In every year other than 2006, they either won in the 90s or the 70s with a couple of 60-win seasons in there as well. Last year's 76-win squad represented a disappointment for a team that had won at least 90 games in three of the prior four seasons. Sadly for Reds fans though, it almost certainly marked the end of their recent postseason contention.