Series Preview: Epic Early Season Matchup With The Reds - I'll Be Dat

Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds

Major League baseball scheduling has set us up with a great National League matchup here during opening week.  The Nats, 3-0 and only undefeated team in baseball, will travel to Cinci to take on the 2-1 Reds.

At the end of the 2012 regular season the two teams with the best records in baseball were the Washington Nationals #1 (.605) and the Cincinnati Reds #2 (.599).  However, both teams underachieved when it came to the playoffs each losing in 5 game series against the Cardinals and World Series Champs the Giants respectively.

The Reds opened up the season at home with a loss to the Angels but picked up the next 2 games.  

They were considering using their top reliever, flamethrower Aroldis Chapman as a starter but he is going to be throwing heat from the pen.  If the Nationals get behind, he could be in to shut them down.  But Chapman has pitched in all 3 games so far, and the past 2 days, so he will probably not be available for all 3 games.

Possible NL MVP candidate Joey Votto hasn't homered yet.  He is going to be licking his lips seeing the duo of Haren & Detwiler the next two days.

Your pitching matchups:

• Dan Haren vs Homer Bailey - 7:10pm
• Ross Detwiler vs Mike Leake - 1:10pm
• Stephen Strasburg vs Johnny Cueto - 1:10pm

Notice any awesome pitching matchups there?  How about Strasburg vs Cueto, 2 possible Cy Young candidates.

Going with Redman for the song of the series:  Mostly for the first 2 words of the song...

We think the Reds are going to challenge the Nats for the best record in the NL.  The teams have several parallels.  It will be a good early challenge for the Natty's but nothing to get too worked up over no matter the results.

Prediction:  Reds take 2 of 3

Stay tuned to the Nexus for coverage of the series and follow @DCSportsNexus for live tweeting