MLB Reacts: Biggest rivals of the Cincinnati Reds

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Reds fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

While the 2020 season will be extremely shortened, the new schedule does put an increased importance on winning divisional games. That often means needing to beat a team’s biggest rival.

During Rivalry Week, SB Nation Reacts asked baseball fans who specifically they saw as their favorite team’s biggest rival. There were a few teams that clearly draw that kind of attention from many teams.

Reds fans, specifically, believe the team’s biggest rival is the St. Louis Cardinals, followed by the Pirates and Cubs. Prior to the era of Clint Hurdle and profuse bean-balling, the Pirates hadn’t really played too much of a rival-role for the Reds - at least not since postseason battles nearly 30 years ago - but obviously last year’s scuffles have rekindled that.

There are many different kinds of rivalries. For some teams, that rivalry includes begrudging respect. That respect, however, is not universal. When fans were asked what team they disliked the most, results clearly changed.

Reds fans felt a little differently when it comes to which teams they dislike the most. While the Cardinals were still the top choice, the Dodgers and Yankees have earned their own attention. That’s surely one part a recency bias, but with the Dodgers, there is absolutely still the residual ferocity from the old days of the NL West before realignment.

Many different things can contribute to the creation of a rivalry. But when it comes to what most fans dislike about their rival, the answer is clear.

If the MLB schedule is able to reach the playoffs and conclude as planned, the winner of these rivalries will shape the season. More than that, it will give fans additional bragging rights.

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