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The Reds announced their 2005 season schedule Thursday, and there are plenty of intriguing matchups.

Game times have not been announced and the schedule remains subject to change. Tickets will go on sale at a later date.

The Reds open their season with a brief homestand against the Mets April 4 at Great American Ball Park. Following a day off April 5, the teams conclude the series April 6-7.

The Reds then travel to Houston for three against the Astros (April 8-10), followed by two against the defending National League Central division champion Cardinals (April 12-13) in St. Louis.

Cincinnati returns home for seven games against NL Central opponents (Houston, Chicago, Pittsburgh) before heading out on nine-game, 10-day road trip.

The interleague portion of the schedule starts with a three-game series against the Indians from May 20-22 at Great American Ball Park. The teams play three more games June 24-26 at Jacobs Field.

Manager Lou Piniella, who led the 1990 Reds to the World Series championship, returns with the Devil Rays from June 7-9, followed by former American League MVP Miguel Tejada and the Orioles from June 10-12.

After that six-game homestand, the Reds go to Boston for three games against the Red Sox (June 13-15). On Wednesday, Boston advanced to its first World Series since 1986 with a Game 7 win against the Yankees.

The San Francisco Giants and left fielder Barry Bonds visit the Reds for a four-game series (Aug. 15-18). Bonds enters the 2005 season 52 home runs shy of tying Hank Aaron for the all-time record.

The Reds' season concludes with a final month heavy on NL Central opponents.

Twenty-three of their last 29 games are against NL Central teams. A seven-game road trip to Milwaukee (Sept. 26-29) and St. Louis (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) wraps up the season.

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