Cincinnati Reds will open 2020 season against Detroit Tigers

The Cincinnati Reds will start the 2020 season 120 days later than planned and face a different opponent, but as has been the case in every season since 1991 and in almost every season they have existed, Opening Day will take place at home.

» SHOGO AKIYAMA: New outfielder excited about baseball’s return

The Reds will face the Detroit Tigers at 6:10 p.m. on July 24 at Great American Ball Park, Major League Baseball announced Monday evening. A three-game series against Detroit starts a 60-game season in which the Reds will play 40 games against National Central Division opponents and 20 games against American League Central teams.

The Reds end the regular season with another interleague series against the Minnesota Twins.

"We're very excited," Reds manager David Bell said. "Seeing the schedule makes it a little more real. We can start to plan a little bit better and have an idea of what our life is going to be like and where we're going to be for the next several months."

» PITCHING: Johnson says Reds have flexibility with rotation

The Reds would have began the season March 26 — the earliest start date in their history — against the Saint Louis Cardinals if the coronavirus pandemic hadn't shut down spring training on March 12 and delayed the season.

Two games will kick off the 2020 season on July 23. The defending World Series champion Washington Nationals will host the New York Yankees at 7:08 p.m., and the San Francisco Giants will play at the Los Angeles Dodgers at 10:08 p.m. Both games will be televised by ESPN.

The Reds will get six off days between their opener and the end of the regular season Sept. 27. They play 15 straight games before getting their first day off Aug. 10.