Votto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the Reds' 6-4 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Votto has a reputation as a slow starter, and he's coming off back-to-back seasons with home-run totals in the teens, but he's already got two long balls through two games. He homered off lefty Matthew Boyd on Opening Day. "I had a rough year against left-handers, really one of the few poor years against left-handers in my career," Votto told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com prior to Saturday's game. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I'm competitive in two-strike counts and I put the ball in play and if I'm competitive against left-handed pitchers, I'm going to have a very, very good year. So stay tuned."

Votto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Both hits were off lefty Matthew Boyd. Votto had one home run against a left-handed pitcher all of last season (144 plate appearances), so this was an encouraging way to kick off the 2020 campaign for the veteran. He is batting in the two hole ahead of Eugenio Suarez and Nick Castellanos.

Votto got on-base in his first six plate appearances in scrimmages before finally getting out Sunday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Results from scrimmages seem less than probative, but this is what we have right now. Votto normally is a slow starter, but nothing about this season is normal. The Reds were big spenders over the offseason, but they really need Votto to bounce back for the offense to really take off.

Votto blamed his subpar 2019 on mechanics and process, trying to chase his 2017 results in part because he didn't get the desired results in 2018, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer (via a segment on MLB Network with Brian Kenny) reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto said that the drop in homers from 36 in 2017 to 12 in 2018 disturbed his approach at the plate, but it shouldn't have. "In '19, I was really bent out of shape going from hitting 36 home runs to 12 home runs (in 2018). I viewed the year as a failure. But looking at my Statcast data, it was an unlucky season. I was a really productive hitter using relatively predictive data." Watch the full segment with Votto and Kenny -- it's really enlightening.

Votto had a singled in his final at-bat Monday against the Dodgers, making him 1-for-9 for the season, albeit with six walks, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I didn't even know that," manager David Bell said. "I do know how many walks he's gotten. It seems like he's been on base the whole spring. Those might be the best Spring Training at-bats you can have, walks. You're seeing more pitches and getting a better feel for the zone and all that.

EDGE Analysis

With Votto coming off of his worst season, he's under extra scrutiny this spring to see if he's showing any signs of correcting what held him back in 2019. The Reds' batters are playing every other day right now, but that activity should pick up following Tuesday's off-day.

Votto is extremely likely to continue batting second during the regular season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "His profile might fit as much as anyone who has ever played the game as far as his ability to get on base," manager David Bell said on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Bell hasn't outlined most of his lineup decisions yet, but he's emphasizing on-base skills toward the top. Talking about what type of hitters he wants batting leadoff ahead of Votto, Bell said: "I have a profile in mind, and we have guys that fit that for sure that are going to be regulars on our team. The big thing is getting on base. You look at our team last year, and the middle of our order and the damage that the middle of the order did last year and the potential of what they can do even more so this year, it's going to be important to get on base in front of those guys. The top of the order, on-base is really the No. 1 thing I look at. If guys can run, that's great, too, it's important."

Votto is not in the lineup for Friday's game at Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Votto started the last eight contests but will head to the bench after going 0-for-10 with five strikeouts in the last two games. Alex Blandino receives the start at first base in the series opener.

Votto has abandoned choking up on the bat and has been more upright in the batter's box over the last month of the season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He's batted .321 with three homers over the last 24 games.

EDGE Analysis

This is some minor tinkering for Votto, who isn't yet ready to overhaul everything yet. "I really think I need to step away and just take as much time away from the game as possible, just kind of recharge," Votto said. "This is a taxing six months for me, personally. As a team, six straight losing seasons is very frustrating. After a while, looking across the field, you see teams playing meaningful games, it's very frustrating being the team on the other side trying to interrupt those strong finishes."

Votto (illness) is starting at first base and batting second Tuesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Votto was scratched from Monday's lineup due to illness, but he's been cleared to return for the second game of the series. He's batting .340 with two homers, six RBI and eight walks over 14 games in September.

Votto was scratched from the lineup Monday against the Cubs due to illness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Votto is reportedly one of a number of players who have been sick in recent days for the Reds. While he'll have to miss at least a game or two, it's a positive that he's not dealing with the sort of injury which could rule him out for the rest of the season.